The Army General Staff (AGS) and the AG Artillery Directorate are working rapidly so that the Field Artillery can immediately proceed with the procurement of new modern improved extended range ammunition. According to the writer’s exclusive information, during the previous period precision shots took place at the Crete Shooting Range at distances of more than 40 kilometers.
The shots were fired from M-109 self-propelled guns as well as PzH-2000GR using the new type of 155 mm ammunition of the Slovak company MSM. This is Base Bleed ammunition, Hellenistic burning base. The main element of the new ammunition is the powerful propellant charges that allow shots at long distances.
The Greek gunners managed to hit distances of 42 kilometers with the 155mm HE ER VMK HB and HE ER VMK BB ammunition with shots from the PzH-2000GR and the M-109, the maximum range was 30 kilometers.
The conclusions from the Directorate of Artillery of the GES are excellent and they left the best impressions setting the mark for the new program of acquisition of new ammunition for the Army Field Artillery. It should also be noted that the ammunition that was fired has been approved by the manufacturer of the PzH-2000GR as safe and fully functional through the process referred to as “loading mechanism safety procedures”. It is recalled that the PzH-2000GR have an automatic filling system.
Already the cooperation of the Hellenic Army and with Serbia has left the best impressions for the G2000 rockets of the RM-70 Multiple Rocket Launchers (MRP) and the Artillery Directorate is considering expanding the collaborations to other programs as well. A primary goal for the Battle Artillery is to acquire extended-range ammunition, and the Slovakian company MSM is a favorite.
It is noted that the issue of acquiring new improved DM131A1 ammunition with a range of 40 kilometers has been pending since 2003.
