M109A3 self-propelled howitzers, provided to Ukraine as part of international technical assistance by Norway, are already being used on the front lines.
This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valery Zaluzhny on the social network.
"M109A3 self-propelled howitzers, provided as part of Norway's international technical assistance, are already at the frontline, hitting targets with high accuracy and destroying the enemy," he said.
Zaluzhny said that the Ukrainian military "easily mastered M109A3 in one week."
Referring to the words of the gunners, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine called the key difference between these guns and Soviet models "the fact that they are made for people."
“Despite the fact that these self-propelled howitzers were manufactured in the 1960s and 1970s, they already have a steering wheel instead of levers, and instead of a mechanical gearbox - the automatic one. For the wintertime, when the hull icing is possible, the designers rubbed it lightly so that the crew did not slip. Soldiers rejoiced even with such simple elements as baskets for personal belongings welded on the edges of the turret," Zaluzhny wrote.
According to him, the M109A3 howitzers have a larger caliber than their Soviet counterparts and more powerful ammunition. The firing range is up to 22 km.
“But in the future, we can use active rocket projectiles that will increase this range. Experienced artillerymen also note the convenience of propellant charges that are sealed and absolutely identical, which affects the accuracy of fire,†the commander-in-chief said.
“I expect further support of partner nations in the assets for the fire engagement of the enemy, whose advantage in artillery and multiple launch rocket systems is the main reason for our losses. Without the immediate supply of long-range artillery and MLRS, we find it increasingly difficult to deter the aggressor,†Zaluzny said.
