Italy approves the delivery of FH70 155mm towed howitzers to Ukraine.

According to information published by the Italian newspaper website "la Repubblica" on May 13, 2022, the Italian government will provide new military aid to Ukraine including mortars, Stinger MANPADS, machine guns, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and FH70 155mm towed howitzers.
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Italian army FH70 155mm towed howitzer. (Picture source Wikimedia)

In late February 2020, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi approved the first decree to send military vehicles, materials and equipment to Ukraine and at the same time set up a system to help the refugees fleeing the country.

On April 21, 2022, the Italian Government launched a procedure to vote a new decree allowing the supply of a new batch of military equipment and weapons to Ukraine.

On April 27, 2022, Army Recognition reported that Italy is considering different options for delivering arms to Ukraine including 155mm artillery howitzers PzH 2000, M109L, as well as Sidam 25, tracked air defense armored vehicles, M113A1 and VCC-1 tracked APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) vehicles, Iveco VM90 and LMV 4x4 light tactical vehicles.

According to the military balance 2021, the Italian armed forces have a total of 188 towed howitzers including 25 105mm Oto Melara Mod 56 and 163 FH70 155mm towed howitzers. Only 90 of the FH70 would be in service with the Italian army.

The FH70 is a 155mm towed howitzer jointly developed by the United Kingdom and Germany. It uses a 155mm 39-caliber ordnance with a double baffle muzzle brake and sliding breech block. The howitzer is operated by a crew of 8 soldiers, while the minimum combat team is 4 men.

The FH-70 can fire all the standard 155mm NATO ammunition with a maximum firing range of 24.7 km or 30 km with extended range shells. The howitzer is normally towed by a 5 tons military truck that also carries the crew and ammunition. It is also equipped with an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) allowing the FH-70 to move on its own and enabling a shoot-and-scoot ability.