ShKH Himalaya

HIMALAYA 155-mm variant turret of the ZUZANA, mounted on the T-72 main battle tank chassis. The possibility of installing the turret of the 8x8 Zuzana self-propelled cannon howitzer with minimal adjustments to a heavy-duty chassis chassis or a combat tank chassis is a very significant advantage of the self-propelled Himalaya cannon. This is made possible by the fully autonomous and light construction of the turret. A verified prototype tower was installed and tested on the T-72 tank chassis.

HIMALAYA is a true counterpart to the wheeled ZUZANA version except that the HIMALAYA turret was made slightly longer to enable more rounds in the ammunition magazines to fully utilize high payload of T-72 chassis. The turret is engineered to be independent of the chassis. It has its own power source and is extended so that 40 rounds of ammo can be placed in conveyors.

The crew consists of 4 operator members, including the driver, who are placed in air-conditioned over-the-air cabins separated from the guns. The operator is equipped with a computer fire control system, terrain navigation system, indirect firearms, radio, colloquial equipment and any other outfit. The weapon system includes subsystems providing all the required weapon functions.

The unique design of ZUZANA 155 mm/45 caliber gun and turret makes it possible to implement the howitzer system almost on any existing MBT chassis as well as modified heavy wheeled chassis. This chassis increases the possibilities of using guns in demanding conditions of the jungle, desert and mountainous terrain. Thanks to the low weight of the turret and the optimal position of the center of gravity has a gun good for the stability of the shooting.

Not wanting to lose a lucrative contract, Slovak gunsmiths took into account the wishes of the customer and, together with the Indian military, developed the ShKH Himalaya project ("Himalayas"). To simplify and reduce the cost, as well as to fulfill the Indian requirements for mobility and maneuverability, the combat vehicles of this project were to be based on the chassis of the Soviet / Russian T-72 tank. To improve the ride quality of the original tank, the Slovak-Indian engineering group equipped the chassis with a new engine with a power of 1000 hp. and transmission, adapted to work with him. Despite the use of the new power plant, the Himalaya self-propelled howitzer had approximately the same driving characteristics as the original T-72. It could accelerate to the highway only up to 60 km / h and overcome at one refueling up to 480-500 kilometers.

On the modified chassis of the T-72 tank, a turret was installed, almost unchanged borrowed from the SpGH Zuzana ACS. Inside a large armored unit were placed gun and workplaces its calculation - the commander, gunner and loader. The main armament self-propelled guns Himalaya - a gun of 155 mm caliber with a barrel length of 45 calibers. The tower rotated around its axis, which ensured circular horizontal guidance. System installation tools allowed to raise and lower it in the range from -3 ° to + 70 °. With an optimal elevation angle and the use of active-missiles, the maximum firing range reached 39.6 kilometers.

With the gun in the tower installed an updated automatic loader. Its refinement was carried out due to the use of the new chassis, which allowed to slightly increase the transported ammunition. The ShKH Himalaya ACS could carry up to 40 separate-sleeve 155-mm round shots. The automatic loader allowed to fire at a rate of up to 5-6 shots per minute. The stated time for the complete shooting of ammunition did not exceed six minutes. It was also possible shooting with the filing of shots from the ground. Allegedly, the Himalaya self-propelled gun could use all types of 155-mm shells produced.

The fire control system, built on the basis of European instruments, made it possible to fire both from closed positions and direct fire. In addition, it was reported that the Himalaya gun mount, as well as its predecessor Zuzana, was able to shoot in accordance with the MRSI algorithm (corresponds to the Russian-language concept of "barrage of fire"). This means that the self-propelled gun can make a series of shots with a different elevation, as a result of which several projectiles will fall in the area of the same target with a minimum time difference.

In general, the HsKH Himalaya self-propelled artillery mounts were a modern combat vehicle, with fairly high performance and at the same time acceptable for the customer cost. According to the Slovak defense industry, the first Himalayan prototype successfully passed tests at local test sites and was offered to India. On this success promising cars came to an end. Soon after the joyful statements about the successful tests, the Indian side first froze the negotiations on the possible supply of new SAUs, and then completely refused such a deal.

As a result of these events, the Himalaya project remained at the prototype testing stage, and only one prototype was built. India still does not have modern self-propelled artillery installations.