The Panter howitzer is an artillery weapon developed by MKEK for the Turkish Land Forces Command. It has a 155 mm/52-calibre towed howitzer gun and is able to fire projectiles to a maximum range of 40 kilometers using extended-range ammunition. Mounted on the forward part of the carriage is an Auxiliary Power Unit that enables the Panter to propel itself at a maximum speed of 20 km/h on asphalt road.
Development
The 155 mm/52 calibre Panter towed howitzer was developed in the 1990s to meet the operational requirements of the Turkish Land Forces Command. Following trials and modifications with a number of prototype systems, the first production order was placed and the manufacturing of the first batch of six 155 mm/52 calibre Panter systems was begun in 2000 and the systems were delivered in 2002. These were built at the Cankiri facilities of MKEK CANSAS and handed over to the 105th Artillery Regiment in Corlu with a ceremony held at the 1011th Ordnance factories in Ankara. The first production batch of 155 mm/52 calibre Panter consisted of 18 units, which was sufficient to equip one artillery regiment, which has three batteries each of six weapons. While Turkey has carried out extensive upgrades on old US supplied M44 and M52 self-propelled weapons, which have been fitted with a 155 mm/39 calibre barrel, the 155 mm/52 calibre Panter is the first complete artillery system to have been developed in Turkey. According to Janes Armour and Artillery 2007–2008 it is understood that some assistance during the development phase of the 155 mm/52 calibre Panter was provided by an overseas company. This is believed to be Singapore Technologies Kinetics who have also developed the FH-2000 155 mm/52 calibre towed artillery system to meet the requirements of the Singapore Armed Forces.
Design
The 155 mm/52 calibre Panter howitzer is mounted on a conventional split-trail carriage. When in the travelling position the 155 mm/52 calibre ordnance is traversed through 180° and locked in position over the closed trails. The travel lock is mounted on the right trail. Mounted on the forward part of the carriage is an Auxiliary Power Unit that enables the 155 mm/52 calibre Panter to propel itself at a maximum speed of 18 km/h. When deployed in the firing position the weapon is supported on a circular baseplate mounted under the carriage and the two trails each of which is provided with a spade. When deployed in the firing position, the four main roadwheels are raised clear of the ground. Each trail leg has a small wheel to assist in bringing the weapon into the firing position. These are also used in conjunction with the four main wheels when the weapon is being used in its self-propelled mode. The sighting system, as well as the laying equipment, is mounted on the left side, where the seat for the layer is provided. The 155 mm/52 calibre Panter is used in conjunction with the locally developed Aselsan BAIKS-2000 Field Artillery Battery Fire Direction system.
Users
Turkish Army – around 255 acquired until 2012; total 400 planned.
Pakistan Army – 72+ in service. 12 ordered for evaluation in 2007 and delivered by Turkey between 2008–09. Another 60 produced locally under ToT between 2011 and 2013 by Heavy Industries Taxila.
