First batch of Nexter 105 mm LG1 Mk.III light towed guns to be delivered to Malaysian army.

The Malaysian army is about to receive the first six of 18 105 mm LG1 Mk.III light towed guns ordered on 18 April 2018 from French company Nexter. The number of guns bought is enough to equip one artillery regiment (the 1st Royal Artillery Regiment) with another two more guns meant for the artillery school in Port Dickson for training and testing.

Nexter LG1 Mk.III 105mm light gun (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Early 2020, Nexter’s Malaysian partner, Advanced Defence Systems (ADS), took delivery of the kits which are currently being assembled in the state of Johor. All 18 guns were initially expected to be delivered to ADS by February 2020, but the deliveries were delayed, as the Malaysian government that took over following the May 2018 general election ordered a review of defense contracts signed by the previous administration, Marhalim bin Abas reports. As a result, the contract for the LG1 howitzers was re-approved earlier this year following the review, with the remaining 12 guns now expected to be delivered to ADS in two batches later in 2020.

The contract signed in 2018 includes the supply of fully digitized 105 LG1 Mk III Light Guns, the BACARA compact portable ballistic computer (for use at battery level), and a first batch of 105 mm high-explosive, base-bleed, extended-range G3 ammunition (105 mm HE BB ER G3), which can be fired to a range of up to 17 km.

Nexter’s 105 LG towed gun is particularly well adapted to rapid intervention forces operating over difficult terrain. The gun is lightweight, very easy to use and is the ideal weapon for airlift, airdropping, helicopter or amphibious operations, with an efficiency demonstrated during combat in Afghanistan. The Nexter 105 LG is already in service into four countries on three continents: Indonesia with 20 units ordered in 1994, Canada with 28 units ordered in 1994, Thailand with 24 units ordered in 1995, and Belgium with 14 units ordered in 1996. The digitized version of the 105 LG is designated 105 LG Mk III.

The 105 LH Mk III has a 30 caliber barrel and a NATO standard chamber. It can fire all ammunition compliant with the standard, especially US M1 ammunition, over a standard range of more than 11 km, and Nexter Munitions "Extended Range" ammunition over a range of more than 17 km. The 105 LG MK III is available with an inertial navigation unit used to guide, position and aim the gun. This system further reduces the time for getting into firing configuration. The 105 LG Mk III can be integrated into a firing control system (system C3l).