Meng – 72-008 – German Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a German Panzerhaubitze 2000 self propelled artillery.

The Panzerhaubitze 2000, often abbreviated as PzH 2000, is one of the most advanced and powerful self-propelled howitzers in service today. Developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall for the German Army, it was introduced in the late 1990s as a replacement for older artillery systems. Designed to provide long-range, highly accurate, and rapid artillery support, the PzH 2000 embodies the technological evolution of tube artillery in the post-Cold War era.

At the heart of the PzH 2000 is its 155 mm L52 gun, which allows it to fire shells over distances exceeding 30 km with standard ammunition, and up to 40–50 km using specialized extended-range projectiles like the base bleed or V-LAP types. Its rate of fire is especially notable: the automated loading system allows it to fire three rounds in under ten seconds, and it can deliver up to 10–13 rounds per minute under ideal conditions. It’s also capable of MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact) fire missions, where several shells are fired on different trajectories to hit the same target at once—an especially effective tactic for overwhelming defenses.

The vehicle is built on a tracked armored chassis, providing both mobility and protection for its five-person crew. Its armor protects against small arms fire and shell splinters, and the system includes an NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection unit, smoke launchers, and advanced fire suppression. The interior is modern and largely automated, with digital fire control, GPS integration, and full compatibility with NATO artillery systems, making it highly interoperable in joint operations.

Operationally, the PzH 2000 has been deployed in Afghanistan, where its precision, long range, and mobility proved invaluable for supporting NATO troops in rugged terrain. More recently, it has gained attention for its use in Ukraine, where it has reportedly performed well under high-intensity combat conditions, showing resilience, accuracy, and lethality in the field.

Overall, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 stands as a benchmark in modern artillery design—offering a combination of range, speed, protection, and digital integration that few systems in the world can match. It’s not only a key asset in Germany’s arsenal but also in several NATO and allied countries that have adopted it, such as the Netherlands, Italy, and Lithuania.

MENG new tool in 2025. Kit features typical tracks in length segments of MENG models in 1/72 scale. Features a simplified constructions due its engineering with an acceptable quality but in several aspects stands behind the quality of the Revell kit several years older.