Breaking news
Latvia will purchase 47 M109A5 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers from Austria 12704171.
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Defense & Security News - Latvia
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Latvia will purchase 47 M109A5 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers from Austria.
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Defense Ministry of Latvia will purchase second-hand 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer M109A5 from Austria. A total of 47 self-propelled howitzers will be delivered to Latvia by Austria.
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 Austrian army M109A5 ÖE 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer (Source photo Austrian MoD) |
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The howitzers which Latvia plans on purchasing from Austria were modernized between 2003 and 2007, and the first delivery is expected in the autumn of this year.
Currently armed forces of Latvia does not have any artillery howitzers, only mortar and old 100mm cannons are in service with Latvian army. The M109A5 is modified version of the M109A4 with the incorporation of the Reserve Component/Modified Armament System (RC/MAS) which includes new M284 cannon and a new M182 gun mount. The RC/MAS is a range capability improvement kit and, firing the M203A1 charge, ranges of 30 km can be achieved with rocket-assisted projectiles. The Austria M109A5, called M109A5 ÖE which is a modernized version of M109A2 and M109A3, has a number of unique features that differ from the standard M109A5 including an Austrian semi-automatic flick rammer, inertial positive navigation system and Swiss electrical system. The M109A2 is an improved version of the M109A1 including a redesigned rammer and improved recoil mechanism, engine operation warning devices, a redesigned hatch and door latches, an improved hydraulic system and a bustle designed to carry an additional 22 rounds of 155 mm ammunition. The M109A3 is an US Army conversion of the M109A1 which includes M178 gun mount kit, selected RAM (Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability) and safety kits, which included fuel system air purge, driver's instrument panel, bustle/rack, propellant stowage, torsion bar, counter recoil buffer and upper recoil cylinder. |
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