Self-propelled howitzers M109A3 from Norway are already on the front line successfully destroying the enemy (photo)

By: Elena Shcherban | 05.06.2022, 16:16
Self-propelled howitzers M109A3 from Norway are already on the front line successfully destroying the enemy (photo)

Ukrainian military personnel successfully use M109A3 self-propelled howitzers, which were transferred by Norway as part of international technical assistance.

Already at the forefront

According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valery Zaluzhny, Norwegian howitzers are already successfully destroying the enemy at the forefront. Moreover, it took the Ukrainian defenders only a week to master the received weapons.

“As my gunners point out, the key difference between these guns and Soviet models is that they are made for people. Despite the fact that these self-propelled howitzers were manufactured back in the 1960s and 70s, they already have a steering wheel instead of levers, and an automatic gearbox instead of a mechanical one. For winter time, when icing of the hull is possible, the developers slightly rubberized it so that the crew would not slip. The soldiers were happy even with such simple elements as baskets for personal belongings welded along the edges of the tower, ”Zaluzhny notes.

In addition, howitzers have a larger caliber compared to Soviet counterparts and more powerful ammunition. The firing range is up to 22 km. But in the future, our military will be able to use active rockets that increase this distance. Experienced gunners also note the convenience of charges, sealed and absolutely identical, which affects the accuracy of expansion when fired.

“I am sincerely grateful to the Norwegian People for their effective help! I count on the further support of the partner countries in the means of fire destruction of the enemy, whose advantage in artillery and multiple launch rocket systems is the main reason for our losses. Without an immediate supply of long-range artillery and MLRS, it is becoming more and more difficult for us to deter the aggressor, ”the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasized.

Source: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine / CinC AF of Ukraine