INT - PzH 70 (155mm samohybná houfnice)

PzH 70 / SP-70

In the early 1960s, a contract was concluded between the Federal Republic of Germany and Great Britain to develop a new towed field howitzer. In 1973, Italy joined these countries. Rheinmetall, Vickers and Oto Melara participated in the development and subsequent production of the FH70. The first howitzer was delivered to the German Bundeswehr on 13 October 1978, the user being Panzerartillerielehr-bataillon 51 stationed in Unterlüß. Production FH70 continued until 1981.


In 1973, the development of the PzH 70 (German designation) / SP-70 (English designation) self-propelled howitzer got underway, with the FH70 at its core. During 1979 to 1980, the first five prototypes were tested. The findings were incorporated into a subsequent validation series of 10 units. High costs forced the participating countries to reduce the original order to 400 (Germany), 96 (of the original 700, Great Britain) and 150 (Italy) units of these howitzers in the mid-1980s. This was only a precursor to the problems that culminated in the cancellation of the project in November 1986. Germany and the UK then went their own way, resulting in the PzH 2000 and AS.90 self-propelled howitzers.


The machine bottom of the PzH 70 howitzer was taken from a German Leopard 1 tank, which had its torsion bars reinforced. The rear of its hull houses an MTU MB871 power unit with a maximum output of 736 kW.


An aluminium alloy turret is located in the centre of the hull to protect the crew from shrapnel and small arms fire. On each side of the turret are large hatches for quick ammunition supply. The ammunition is manually fed into the hydraulically operated supply system by the crew. The total supply of ammunition carried is 32 pieces, the loading is automatic. A periscope sight with electronic tilt levelling is used for indirect fire. An optical sight is used for direct fire. The main armament consists of the FH70 howitzer with a robust muzzle brake and fiberglass-reinforced ejector. The cradle, slide mechanism and other elements located on the cradle, along with the charging mechanism, are mounted on two pins and connected to the turret by roller bearings.


The crew of the self-propelled howitzer consists of five persons - commander, gunner, driver, loader of cartridges and loader of missiles.

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