The Netherlands, in collaboration with Denmark, has placed a new order for artillery shells to support Ukraine’s ongoing defense efforts. These munitions are being sourced from the Czech defense industry, as announced in a joint statement by the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Denmark, issued during the European Council meeting. Dutch Minister Ruben Brekelmans conveyed this update to fellow NATO representatives at the recent defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels. The Netherlands is committing a total of €271 million to this initiative. The order includes 155mm artillery shells, which are expected to bolster Ukraine’s ammunition supplies in 2025. This procurement aims to encourage the Czech defense sector to increase production capacity, a crucial step toward strengthening the European defense industry as a whole. With the high consumption rates of ammunition on the frontlines, ensuring consistent supplies into 2025 remains critical. In addition, the Netherlands has ordered six self-propelled DITA howitzers from the Czech Republic, which are compatible with the NATO standard 155mm caliber. This follows a previous order of nine DITA howitzers, delivered to Ukraine during the summer.
Minister Ruben Brekelmans emphasized the urgency of continued support for Ukraine, said, “Ukraine has an enormous need for weapons and ammunition. Russia is bringing huge numbers of personnel onto the battlefield. We must continue to help Ukraine defend itself. Together with the Czech Republic and Denmark, we are therefore working hard to deliver armored howitzers and ammunition in the coming year. Earlier this year, we reported that we were purchasing €250 million worth of artillery ammunition as part of the Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine. These shells have already been largely delivered to Ukraine in recent months and are being deployed at the front.”
The DITA self-propelled howitzer is a cutting-edge artillery system that uses NATO-standard 155mm ammunition. It builds upon the original Czechoslovak design of Tatra truck-mounted howitzers, offering enhanced operational autonomy. With a minimal crew requirement of just two—driver and commander—DITA represents a significant advancement in modern artillery. Its Onboard Control System (OCS) allows for rapid deployment and repositioning, high accuracy, and superior cross-country mobility. This advanced system features a fully autonomous superstructure, allowing it to be adapted for use on either wheeled or tracked platforms. The DITA program reached a functional prototype milestone in January 2021 and has since undergone rigorous testing. The howitzer is equipped with a 45-caliber gun, capable of firing 155mm shells up to a range of 39 km.
DITA’s automation includes a comprehensive control system that manages diagnostics, navigation, automatic gun guiding, autonomous calculation of firing solutions, and ammunition handling. Its Automatic Setting of Action Position (A.S.A.P.) and inertial navigation system enable rapid task execution, improving the overall effectiveness of the weapon system. The DITA howitzer offers several firing modes, including single-round fire, rapid fire, programmed intervals, and Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI). The vehicle’s design emphasizes crew safety, featuring a low-profile, ballistic-protected cabin that meets STANAG 4569 Level 1 protection standards. Additionally, an emergency operation workspace allows for the accommodation of a third crew member if needed. With these new supplies, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the Czech Republic reaffirm their commitment to assisting Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict.
