M109 155mm howitzers donated by Norway are now in service with Ukrainian army


According to pictures and video published on Internet Social Network, the M109A3GN 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers donated by Norway are now in Ukraine and operated by the 72nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces. The M109A3GN is an upgraded version of the American M109A3 155mm howitzers.
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Norwegian army M109A3GN 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source NATO)


On May 1, 202, the Army Recognition editorial team reported that Norway was going to deliver 20 M109A3GN 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. On June 1, 2022, a military convoy was spotted with M109A3GN 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer transported on MAZ-537 trucks near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

According to information published on the Internet, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Norway has already provided military aid including 5,000 helmets, 1,500 bulletproof vests, and other individual equipment.

In terms of Weapons, Norway has delivered 4,000 M72 LAW man-portable anti-tank rocket launchers and 100 Mistral surface-to-air missiles, and an undisclosed number of launch stations.

A few days ago, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on his Facebook account that Ukraine would receive an upgraded variant of M109 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers but he did not mention the model of M109, nor the country which was going to deliver these artillery vehicles.

According to the Military Balance 2021, the Norwegian army has a total of 48 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers including 24 K9 Thunder from South Korea and 24 M109A3GN that will be soon withdrawn from active service.

The M109A3GN is a Norwegian version of the German M109A3G 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer acquired from Germany by Norway between 1969 and 1971. The M109 is an American-made 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on tracked armored chassis.

The M109A3GN is armed with a 39 caliber barrel able to fire NATO 155 mm ammunition including high-explosive, illuminating, and smoke with a maximum firing range of 24,700 m. It can also fire enhanced range projectiles, such as base bleed with a maximum firing range of 30,000 m.