Czechoslovak Artillery
Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 4:52 pm
WW2 mortars in Czechoslovak army were completely replaced by new types by early 1960s. By that time these types of towed mortars were available:
82mm mortar vz. 52
- in service from mid 1950s
- during artillery reduction in 1960s withdrawn from infantry units but stayed with airborne troops well into 2000s
120mm mortar B24 (sometimes designated also vz. 52)
- in service from mid 1950s
- withdrawn completely during artillery reduction, completely eliminated probably in early 1970s
160mm mortar obr. 43 (local designation vz. 43)
- in service from 1950s, domestic licence production
- withdrawn probably in early 1970s
When planning for atomic war become the only option in early 1960s the army significantly reduced conventional artillery including mortars. Infantry units (except airborne troops) lost all mortars. Once conventional warfare become part of planning again in second half of 1970s the army started to boost artillery units again. This led to interesting organization of motorized rifle battalions which got platoon of two RM-51 rocket launchers. These were replaced by new mortars in second half of 1980s:
120mm mortar vz. 82 PRAM-L
- in service from 1986
During 1980s also self-propelled mortars were coming:
ShM-85 PRAM-S
- self propelled variant of PRAM-L
- only 12 produced in 1990 in testing series with cancelation of further production due to end of of the Cold War
- the 12 vehicles were not deployed with units initially but were stored and only after dissolution of Czechoslovakia were later deployed with active units
2S4 Tulpan
- one battery equipped with 2S4 delivered from the USSR at the end of 1984
- withdrawn in early 1990s
82mm mortar vz. 52
- in service from mid 1950s
- during artillery reduction in 1960s withdrawn from infantry units but stayed with airborne troops well into 2000s
120mm mortar B24 (sometimes designated also vz. 52)
- in service from mid 1950s
- withdrawn completely during artillery reduction, completely eliminated probably in early 1970s
160mm mortar obr. 43 (local designation vz. 43)
- in service from 1950s, domestic licence production
- withdrawn probably in early 1970s
When planning for atomic war become the only option in early 1960s the army significantly reduced conventional artillery including mortars. Infantry units (except airborne troops) lost all mortars. Once conventional warfare become part of planning again in second half of 1970s the army started to boost artillery units again. This led to interesting organization of motorized rifle battalions which got platoon of two RM-51 rocket launchers. These were replaced by new mortars in second half of 1980s:
120mm mortar vz. 82 PRAM-L
- in service from 1986
During 1980s also self-propelled mortars were coming:
ShM-85 PRAM-S
- self propelled variant of PRAM-L
- only 12 produced in 1990 in testing series with cancelation of further production due to end of of the Cold War
- the 12 vehicles were not deployed with units initially but were stored and only after dissolution of Czechoslovakia were later deployed with active units
2S4 Tulpan
- one battery equipped with 2S4 delivered from the USSR at the end of 1984
- withdrawn in early 1990s