Denmark receives first ATMOS SPHs and PULS MRLs

Denmark received its first ATMOS and PULS artillery systems. (Elbit Systems)

Denmark has received its first 155 mm/52 calibre Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) multiple rocket launcher (MRL) artillery systems, Elbit Systems tweeted on 3 August. The tweet included a video of one ATMOS on an 8×8 platform and two PULS systems on 6×6 platforms being delivered to a Danish port.

The Israeli company said the systems were delivered a few months after the contract signature. Elbit Systems announced in a press release on 2 March that it had awarded two contracts worth a total of USD252 million to a European NATO country – a USD119 million contract for a battalion's worth of the ATMOS SPHs over a two-year period and a USD133 million contract for two batteries' worth of PULS MRLs, plus rockets and missiles, over a three-year period. The procurement includes training, spare parts, and tools for both systems.

The first ATMOS arrived in Denmark earlier than originally planned as a spokesperson for the Danish Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) told Janes on 6 March that 19 ATMOS were scheduled to be delivered from the first quarter (Q1) to Q4 of 2024 and eight PULS systems from Q2 of 2023 to Q1 of 2024, with a full operating capability planned for 2025. In addition to a missile package, the PULS procurement includes a command post and supply vehicles.

According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, ATMOS has a maximum range of 41 km using extended-range full- or base-bleed projectiles, which Elbit Systems says can be further extended by rocket-assisted projectiles.