Brazil donates six M108 105mm self-propelled howitzers to Paraguay.

According to information published by the Info Defensa website, a delegation of the Paraguayan Army was in Brazil to inspect the six M108 105mm tracked self-propelled howitzer donated by the Brazilian army. Currently, the Paraguayan Army has only old M101 105mm American-made towed howitzers.
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M108 105mm tracked self-propelled howitzer of the Brazilian army. (Picture source Internet)

According to open source information, Brazil had a total of 50 M108 105mm tracked self-propelled howitzers that were retired from Brazilian army service in 2017-2018, having been delivered to Brazil in the early 1970s as part of a batch of 72 from surplus US Army stocks.

In February 2020, Uruguayan Army has begun negotiations with Brazil for the receipt of at least eight M-108 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH) as a donation.

The first production of the American-made M108 was completed in October 1962 and production continued until 1963. The M108 is almost identical to the M109 155mm tracked armored self-propelled howitzer, and differs only in its armament, loading system, fire-control system, and ammunition stowage racks.

The M108 howitzer has a crew of five including a commander, gunner, two loaders, and the driver. The hull is made of all-welded aluminum armor with the driver at the front of the hull on the left, the power pack to the right, and the fighting compartment at the rear. The howitzer provides protection against firing of small arms fire and artillery shell splinters.

The M108 main armament consists of one M103 105 mm howitzer in an M139 mount. The weapon has an elevation of +74º, depression of -4º, and 360º turret traverses. Gun elevation/depression and turret traverse are manual. The normal rate of fire is 1 rd/min, but 3 rds/min can be fired for short periods.

The M108 can fire a wide range of 105mm ammunition with a maximum firing range of 11.5 km. The roof of the turret can be fitted with a ring mount armed with one 12.7mm heavy machine gun.

The M108 is powered by a Detroit Diesel turbocharged 8V-71T 8-cylinders developing 425 hp. It can run at a maximum road speed of 56 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 360 km.