Panzerkanone 68

• Name — Panzerkanone 68 • Origin — Switzerland • Type — Self-propelled howitzer • Is Vehicle — yes • Is Uk — no • Service — 1972–1975 • Used By — Switzerland • Design Date — 1966 • Manufacturer — Eidgenössische Konstruktionswerkstätte Thun • Production Date — 1972-1975 • Number — 4 • Weight — 47.0 tonnes • Length — 12.14 m 7.00 m (hull only) • Width — 3.48 m • Height — 3.20 m • Crew — 5 • Armour — up to 120 mm RHA • Primary Armament — 155 mm gun 34 rounds • Secondary Armament — 1× 7.5 mm machine gun 3000 round 6× smoke dischargers 12 Smoke Cartridges 51 • Engine — 8 cylinder V90° engine four stroke MTU MB 837 Ba-500 auxiliary motor 4 cylinder engine Mercedes Benz OM 636 • Engine Power — 660 hp, 38 hp • Pw Ratio — 14 hp/tonne • Suspension — Torsion bar • Clearance — 400 mm • Vehicle Range — 300 km (road) 180 km (off-road) • Speed — 55.5 km/h

The manufacture of a self-propelled howitzer was being considered in Switzerland in the mid-1950s. Studies were developed by the Group on Arms Services (GRD) and Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette. Real development began in 1966 with the mounting of a 15 cm howitzer on a Panzer 61 chassis. Subsequently, four vehicles were built on Panzer 68 chassis. These possessed a range of not more than 30 km and had a rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute with automatic loading. Due to technical and financial problems, the project was never pursued. The Swiss Army procured the American M109 howitzer instead. The four vehicles were used experimentally from 1972 to 1975. Two vehicles are preserved; one at the Panzermuseum Thun, the other one at the Schweizerische Militärmuseum Full.