Challenges of equipping with 155 mm self-propelled howitzer systems from a DOTMLPF-I perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-25-08Keywords:
equipping, fire support, self-propelled howitzer, NATO model, DOTMLPF-I.Abstract
Fire support systems represent a combat power multiplier for force structures, making a significant contribution in all types of operations, as they directly facilitate the force’s ability to accomplish its mission. Considering national programs for equipping with modern military systems, this article has addressed the potential challenges of transitioning land force structures from being equipped with 152 mm towed artillery systems to NATO standard 155 mm self-propelled artillery systems. The challenges have been considered through the lens of the NATO capability foundation model, described by the acronym DOTMLPF-I (Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, Facilities and Interoperability). This paper aims to underline some aspects that may influence the integration and exploitation of fire support capabilities, provided by equipping national land forces structures with this type of 155 mm self-propelled howitzer system. I have structured the article into two sections, aiming in the first part to briefly present the relevant basic ideas of the NATO capability foundation model, and in the second part to argue the challenges of equipping with 155 mm self-propelled howitzer systems and to include some actions, which I consider necessary, on the eight directions described by the acronym DOTMLPF-I. The perspective presented aims to highlight useful ways to enhance the national-level fire support capability provided by the new NATO-standard 155 mm self-propelled howitzer systems.
References
Agenția Media a Armatei. 2017. „Curs de brevetare mecanici conductori.” https://presamil.ro/curs-de-brevetare-mecanici-conductori/.
Bâtcă, Marius. 2024. „Programele de înzestrare, adaptate la riscurile și provocările actuale.” Agenția Media a Armatei. https://presamil.ro/programele-de-inzestrare-adaptate-lariscurile-si-provocarile-actuale/.
Bowen, Glenn. 2009. “Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method.” Qualitative Research Journal 27-40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027.
Curtifan, Tudor. 2024. „Offsetul pentru obuziere: K9 Tunetul va fi produs în colaborare cu industria din România. Dar într-o fabrică ridicată de la zero.” Defence Romania. https://www.defenseromania.ro/offsetul-pentru-obuziere-k9-tunetul-va-fiprodus-in-colaborare-cu-industria-din-romania-dar-intr-o-fabrica-ridicata-de-lazero_629372.html.
Defense Romania. 2024. „Când am putea avea obuziere K9 „made in Romania”, parte dintrun plan mult mai ambițios. Și de ce Coreea e dispusă să realizeze linii de producție la noi.” https://www.defenseromania.ro/cand-am-putea-avea-obuziere-k9-madein-romania-parte-dintr-un-plan-mult-mai-ambitios-si-de-ce-coreea-e-dispusa-sarealizeze- linii-de-productie-la-noi_630696.html.
European Security & Defence. 2022. ”Hanwha Defense & UK Team Thunder – The Future of Mobile Fires.” https://euro-sd.com/2022/09/sponsored-content/27272/hanwhadefense-uk-team-thunder-the-future-of-mobile-fires/.
Global Defense News. 2024. ”K9 Thunder.” https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/artillery-vehicles-and-weapons/self-propelled-howitzers/k9-thunder-southkorea-uk#google_vignette.
Grădinaru, Anca. 2024. „Ministrul Economiei, întrebat de ce fabricile românești nu produc muniție NATO de calibru 155: Să ne dea Armata specificațiile, mai întâi!” Europa Liberă. https://romania.europalibera.org/a/ministru-economiei-intrebat-de-cefabricile-sale-nu-produc-munitie-de-calibru-nato-155-pentru-armata-sa-ne-spunaintai-ce-echipamente-are/32860331.html.
Ministerul Apărării Naționale. 2025. „Programe de înzestrare.” Direcția generală pentru armamente. https://www.dpa.ro/programe-de-inzestrare/.
MD Harris Institute. 2013. ”DOTMLPF-P Analysis for War and Peace.” https://mdharrismd.com/2013/11/09/dotmlpf-p-analysis-and-military-medicine/.
Military-history Fandom. 2025. ”152 mm towed gun-howitzer M1955 (D-20).” https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/152_mm_towed_gun-howitzer_M1955_(D-20)?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
Mirea, Adrian, and Cristian-Octavian Stanciu. 2024. ”Implementarea unei doctrine a sprijinului prin foc de nivel întrunit – cerință a operației întrunite.” Colocviu Strategic Nr. 1 1-6.
NATO. 2018. ”NATO’s Joint Air Power Strategy.” https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_156374.htm?selectedLocale=en.
___. 2021. ”NATO CD-E Handbook, A concept developer`s toolbox.” Norfolk: Allied Command Transformation. https://www.act.nato.int/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NATO-ACT-CDE-Handbook_A_Concept_Developers_Toolbox.pdf.
___. 2023. ”Interoperability: connecting forces.” https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_84112.htm.
Nistorescu, Claudiu Valer. 2024. „Adaptarea organizației militare - o condiție esențială pentru obținerea succesului pe câmpul de luptă.” Gândirea Militară Românească,Iulie 1: 194-209.
Orjanu, Gheorghiță. 2023. „HIMARS deschide uși. Artileria Armatei României a intrat în „clubul select” ASCA. SUA – rol cheie în primirea României în ASCA.” Defense Romania. https://www.defenseromania.ro/himars-deschide-usi-artileria-armateiromaniei-a-intrat-in-clubul-select-asca-sua-rol-cheie-in-primirea-romaniei-inasca_622036.html.
Statul Major al Apărării. 2021. „Start DACIA 21 LIVEX.” https://www.defense.ro/startdacia-21-livex.
Stroea, Adrian, and Gheorghe Băjenaru. 2010. Artileria română în date și imagini.București: Centrul Tehnic-Editorial al Armatei.
Vlad, Farcas. 2024. „Artileria autopropulsată pe roți – o variantă mai potrivită pentru războiul modern?” Karadeniz-press. https://karadeniz-press.ro/artileria-autopropulsata-peroti-o-varianta-mai-potrivita-pentru-razboiul-modern/.
Willi, Bernie. 2016. ”Assessing Nations for NATO Partnerships.” Transforming Joint Air Power The journal of the JAPCC 51-54.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
The published articles are subject to copyright law. All rights are reserved to the “Carol I” National Defense University, regardless of whether all or part of the material are considered, especially the rights to translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, quotations, broadcasting through the media, reproduction on microfilms or any other way and storage in data banks. Any replicas without the associated fees are authorized provided the source is acknowledged.