The self-propelled artillery units are one of the main elements that provide fire support to motorized rifle units and other units in battle. The artillery and missile units of the Azerbaijan Army duly carried out their tasks both in the Patriotic War and in subsequent operations, including anti-terrorist measures. Azerbaijan used self-propelled artillery systems produced by a number of countries to liberate its lands. 

These artillery vehicles revealed excellent performance in counter-attacks and special operations, destroying enemy fortifications, shelters, and other strategic military objects. 

Our Missile Troops and Artillery, from which 184 servicemen were martyred, used weapon systems made by Israel, Turkiye, Belarus, Russia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Patriotic War. LORA and "Tochka-U" OTRK, T-122 "Sakarya", T-300 "Hurricane", "Polonez", LYNX, LAR-160, "Extra", RM-70 "Vampir" BM-30 "Smerch" ", BM-21 "Grad" YARS, TOS-1 flamethrowers, T-155 "Fyrtyna", ATMOS 2000, 2S19 "Msta-S", DANA, 2S7 "Pion", 2S3 "Akasia", 2S1 "Gvozdika" self-propelled artillery devices, D-20, D-30, 2A36 "Giasint B", M-46, D-44 howitzers, 2S31 "Vena", 2S9 "Nona-S" along with domestic 20N6MT "Commando" and "Ashrym-5", RM-38 mortars were among them. 

During the Patriotic War, we got acquainted with the application of new methods of armed struggle. Besides, UAVs were widely used in regulating artillery fire and assessing the damage inflicted on the enemy. As in every field in the world, artillery weapons and their capabilities are also developing. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev always focuses on security issues, especially the provision of our Armed Forces with modern weapon systems. Recently, local and foreign media spread information about Azerbaijan's interest in both Serbian-made Nora B-52 and Turkish Yavuz, a 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer.

Here is some information about Turkiye's new howitzer 'Yavuz'. 

'Yavuz' howitzer

'Yavuz' self-propelled howitzer, produced by the Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation since 2016, has confirmed its effectiveness in the military operations of the Armed Forces of the brotherly country, especially in the framework of the 'Euphrates Shield' operation. 

Presentation 

The first model, launched in April 2016, was presented for the first time at the defense industry exhibition held in Abu Dhabi in February of that year. In May 2017, it was introduced to the public at the 13th International Defense Industry Exhibition (IDEF'17) held in Istanbul. First firing tests with the Yavuz artillery howitzer were performed on April 2017.

Platform  

'Yavuz' is a 155mm, 52 calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The vehicle, which weighs 20 tons, is 10.8 meters long and 2.6 meters wide. Yavuz max speed is 90 kilometres per hour, and its range is 600 km. A total of 18 pieces of ammunition can fire at a maximum range of 40 km and need only 60 seconds to be ready to fire.

“Yavuz” howitzer can hit the same target with three different ammunitions with the help of its various elevation angles and propellant charge modules. A total of 18 pieces of ammunition can fire at a maximum range of 40 km and need only 60 seconds to be ready to fire. Yavuz max speed is 90 kilometres per hour, and its range is 600 km. The vehicle, which weighs 20 tons, is 10.8 meters long and 2.6 meters wide.

Superior features

The advanced “Yavuz” howitzer is equipped with a semi-automatic loading mechanism with an electronic control system.

The system can fire 4-6 times per minute with its capacity of 18 ammunitions stored in a storage box located on each side of the truck chassis.

“Yavuz” howitzer can hit the same target with three different ammunitions with the help of its various elevation angles and propellant charge modules. A total of 18 pieces of ammunition can fire at a maximum range of 40 km and need only 60 seconds to be ready to fire. "Yavuz" max speed is 90 kilometres per hour, and its range is 600 km. The vehicle, which weighs 20 tons, is 10.8 meters long and 2.6 meters wide.

As the deployed artillery unit is far away from the counter targets, the risk of counterfire from the enemy diminishes.

Export opportunities

“Yavuz” self-propelled artillery units, produced entirely with Türkiye’s local and national capabilities, are designed taking into account the Middle East, Asian and African markets. It is equipped with various equipment, taking into account the geographical conditions and military requirements. Along with Azerbaijan, several Arab countries are closely interested in these howitzers.

Rivals

"Yavuz" howitzer is not inferior to French "Caesar", Swedish "Archer" and Israeli "Atmos 2000" systems, which are considered “rivals” in terms of indicators and technical capabilities, and in some features it surpasses them.

Tactical-technical features

Barrel: 155 mm

Fire range:

Up to 18 km with M107 (HE)

Up to 30 km with M549A1 (HE)

Up to 40 km with MOD274

Ammunition capacity: 18

Fire rate: 4-6 rounds per minute

Secondary weapon: 12.7 mm machine gun

Crew: 5

Length: 10.8 m

Width: 2 m

Height: 4.1 m

Weight: 20 ton

Diameter: 52 caliber

Max speed: 90 km/h

Operational range: 600 km

Conclusion

The combat experience of recent years has shown that despite the growing use of UAVs in mountainous areas, especially in operations air defense systems are densely deployed, self-propelled long-range artillery has not lost its importance. In the 2020 Patriotic War, rocket artillery was valued as the main component of the firepower of the Azerbaijani Army. Accurate fire support from one valley or elevation to another is possible only through artillery.

Given that Yerevan has been taking illogical steps in recent months, preparing for war by equipping its desert army with long-range attack weapons acquired from France and other countries, then Azerbaijan-Armenia peace is not expected to be achieved in the coming years. In such a case, Azerbaijan should always provide its victorious army with advanced weapons. To that end, fraternal Türkiye and the weapons it produces will remain a priority for Azerbaijan.

Military expert Adalat Verdiyev exclusively for AzVision.az

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