Colombia confirms purchase of Atmos self-propelled howitzer for US$102 million

By Erich Saumeth

The Colombian Ministry of Defense, through supporting document Agreement 027 / Commitment Number 14323, has confirmed the purchase of the Elbit Systems Atmos 6×6 155×52 millimeter self-propelled howitzer.

It is worth mentioning that Elbit has simultaneously announced – on its web page – the sale of this system to an international customer in a transaction of approximately US$102 million.

In this sense, the Colombian Army would have acquired an estimated 18 pieces of this system, for a value of US$101.71 billion, with a delivery term of eight years, the same as the one reported by Elbit.

ATMOS 6X6

The system comprises a 155×52 millimeters piece on a Tatra Y815-VVN type vehicle (315 hp V-12 diesel engine and 10-speed forward transmission), with an extended range and maximum speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

The Atmos has a range of up to 41 kilometers, with a cadence – according to its manufacturer – of five shots in one minute or eighty in one hour of continuous fire, demonstrating the reliability and integrity of the howitzer.

This system, already operated by at least a dozen countries, has six servers weighing 22 tons, with a length of 9.5 meters, 2.65 meters wide, and 3.24 meters high.

With information from Infodefensa