Latvia army takes delivery 39 M109A5 155m howitzers from Austria.

The Ministry of Defense of Latvia has released pictures on the official website of the Latvia armed forces showing the delivery of 39 second-hand M109A5 155mm self-propelled howitzers from Austria.

Latvia army takes delivery of M109A5 155mm self-propelled howitzers from Ausria on Octobedr 1, 2017. (Source pictures Latvia MoD) 

In April 2017, it was announced that the Ministry of Defense of Latvia has signed a deal for the purchase of 47 M109A5 tracked self-propelled howitzer from Austria. The agreement also included the purchase of driver training platforms and artillery tactical command center.

Early in 1995, through the US Army Armament and Chemical Acquisition and Logistics Activity at Rock Island, Austria awarded United Defense LP a contract worth US$48.6 million for the supply of 54 155 mm M109A50e self-propelled howitzers for the Austrian Army.

The Austrian M109A5 has a number of unique features that differ from the standard American M109A5 including an Austrian semi-automatic flick rammer, inertial positive navigation system, Swiss electrical system and the same 155 mm ordnance as used on the M109A6 Paladin currently in service with the US Army.

The Austrian M109A5 is armed with a 155 mm M284 cannon in an M182 mount. Using the US M203A1 charge, ranges of 30 km can be achieved firing a rocket-assisted projectile.

The first production M109A5 for the Austrian Army was rolled out on 6 May 1997.

Currently armed forces of Latvia does not have any artillery howitzers, only mortar and old 100mm cannons are in service with Latvian army. With these new howitzers, Latvia will strengthen its armed forces with new artillery unit.

The delivery also includes command and control artillery vehicles.

Latvia has also ordered driver training vehicles from Austria