Czech Company Excalibur Army Delivers 70 DITA 155mm SP-Howitzers to Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani Army has announced the arrival of the first unit of the DITA 155mm self-propelled howitzer, part of a broader order for 70 systems from the Czech Republic-based Excalibur Army.

This initial delivery was confirmed ahead of the Azerbaijan ADEX International Defense Fair, scheduled to take place from September 24 to 26, 2024, where the howitzer will be showcased. While one system has been delivered, it remains unclear when the remaining howitzers will be transferred.

Azerbaijan had signed the contract with Excalibur Army on May 9, 2024, as part of its broader efforts to modernize its artillery inventory, which currently includes 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika, 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm 2S19 Msta-S, and 152mm Dana-M1M systems. The procurement of NATO-standard DITA howitzers aligns with Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to increase compatibility with Turkish and NATO defense systems.

The DITA howitzer, built on a Czechoslovak Tatra truck chassis, is designed to fire standard 155mm NATO ammunition. It is operated by a crew of two, the driver and commander, and can carry up to 40 rounds with a maximum firing range of 35 kilometers.

Azerbaijan’s defense spending has steadily increased following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, with the nation aiming to boost its defense budget to $4 billion by 2028.