Special mechanism to deliver PzH 2000 self-propelled guns from the Middle East to the Ukrainian frontline

The German government has approved the sale of its latest 155 mm RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery system to Qatar, and in return the oil-rich Middle Eastern country will transfer 12 of its 155 mm Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) self-propelled artillery systems to Ukraine.

The information was first reported by the German newspaper Bild on September 15, adding that Doha will hand over 12 of the 24 Panzerhaubitze (Leopard) tracked self-propelled guns – jointly developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall Landsysteme – currently in its inventory.

Qatar's "Leopards" will be refurbished in Germany before being transferred to Ukraine, with six expected to be delivered before the end of this year and the remainder in the second half of 2025. According to the German Ministry of Defense , Qatar's 12 PzH 2000s cost around 150 million euros.

German-made 155 mm Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) self-propelled artillery system. Photo: Military Leak

The exchange is part of a special mechanism called a “ring exchange” in which donor countries transfer weapons from their existing arsenals to Ukraine and in return receive new or upgraded goods to replace them.

This mechanism ensures that Ukraine receives important weapons systems in a relatively short time.

The delivery of PzH 2000s from Qatar will significantly increase Ukraine's artillery capabilities. The Leopard uses NATO standard 155mm ammunition, which is consistent with the system's advanced features, high rate of fire, accurate targeting and long-range capabilities.

In turn, the acquisition of the highly advanced RCH 155 mm artillery system will also enhance Doha's defense capabilities. The system uses the same 155 mm L52 gun as the PzH 2000 but is mounted on a Boxer wheeled armored vehicle and requires only a crew of two while offering greater mobility and automation than the tracked Leopard. The RCH 155 mm can fire precision-guided ammunition at ranges of over 40 km (25 miles).

The RCH 155 mm remote-controlled wheeled artillery system on a Boxer vehicle developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. Photo: Forces News

This is also not the first time Germany has bought hardware from Qatar. In 2023, Berlin bought a number of Gepard self-propelled air defense systems from Doha for Kiev. These systems were originally purchased by Qatar to ensure security for the 2022 World Cup. The Gepard transfer was kept strictly secret at the time because neither side was willing to make the transaction public.

Notably, Germany is also not the only Western power making “circular exchanges” in Ukraine’s favor in the Middle East.

In a press conference in March, French President Emmanuel Macron said his government, along with Britain, Italy and Germany, was in discussions with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia about returning Western weapons systems that these Middle Eastern countries had accumulated over years to transfer to Ukraine.

In the middle of last year, the US was said to have purchased Gepard air defense systems from Jordan to aid Ukraine.

Overall, the acquisition of Soviet-style or more modern weapons from countries that are using them is an efficient mechanism with the advantages of cost (used goods are cheaper than new ones) and speed (no long wait for delivery) to meet the huge needs of Ukrainian forces in the conflict with Russia.

Minh Duc (According to Kyiv Post, Militarnyi)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/co-che-dac-biet-dua-phao-tu-hanh-pzh-2000-tu-trung-dong-toi-tien-tuyen-ukraine-204240918150755118.htm