National Guard in process of getting Zuzana, DITA howitzers, personnel being trained to use these systems – commander
Over the past few months, the National Guard of Ukraine has received Zuzana and DITA 155mm self-propelled howitzers and the process of obtaining the systems is underway, Commander of the National Guard Oleksandr Pivnenko said.
"Realizing the need and analyzing our experience, on my initiative we have created a separate Artillery Brigade with Ukrainian 155mm Bohdana self-propelled howitzers (NATO standard artillery caliber) in service. Also, in the last few months, Zuzana and DITA 155mm systems have arrived. We are already using them along the frontline," he said in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency.
The commander added that the National Guard is now in the process of receiving the systems, and personnel is being trained to use them. All these systems will be used directly in the units and separately in the Artillery Brigade, he said.
Speaking about the assistance of allies, Pivnenko admitted that the National Guard had a hard time in this area, but "over the past year we have leveled out the situation and are working more efficiently with partners in various areas."
"We started to be helped with such vehicles as M113, FV432 and others. The National Guard has received funds to strengthen mobile fire groups – it is important to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure," he said.