Norway to provide Ukraine with M109A3GN 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers.

According to a Tweet published by "WorldOnAlert" on April 30, 2022, Norway will deliver 20 M109A3GN 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.
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Norwegian army M109A3GN 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on tracked armored chassis. (Picture source PrimePortal website)

On February 28, 2022, the Norwegian Government allocated around €267 million for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and provided military equipment such as helmets and bulletproof vests to the war-torn country. Norway has also provided €34 million in humanitarian support in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine, primarily to the UN Refugee Agency, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

In terms of military aid to Ukraine, Norway has already provided the armed forces of Ukraine with 5,000 helmets, 1,500 bullet-proof vests and 1,000 gas masks, 2,000 sleeping bags, 10,000 sleeping pads and 15,000 field rations, 4,000 M72 LAW anti-tank rockets and 100 Mistral air defense missiles and a number of launchers.

After the United States, Canada, Belgium, France, Germany and Netherlands, Denmark will supply artillery vehicles to Ukraine to counter the Russian armed forces deployed in the eastern part of Ukraine. According to the latest information released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the Russian armed forces continue to take measures to strengthen the strike potential of its troops. Weapons and military equipment removed from storage in the Western, Central, Eastern Military Districts and the Northern Fleet are transferred to the border areas with Ukraine by rail.

The M109A3GN is the Norwegian version of the American-made M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on tracked armored chassis. Between 1969 and 1971, Denmark acquired 126 M109Gs from West Germany. They were then upgraded to the M109A3GN configuration during the latter half of the 1980s.

According to the Military Balance 2021, the Norwegian army has a total of 48 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers including 24 K9 Thunder from South Korea and 24 M109A3GN that will be soon withdrawn from active service. In December 2019, Norway selected the 24 K9 Thunder, a South Korean-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer to replace their current M109A3GNMs dating from the 1960s.

In 2007, 14 of the M109A3GNs received additional upgrades and were designated M109A3GNM. The upgrade includes, among other things, a new intercom and new navigation and positioning systems. The M109A3GNMs are currently the only self-propelled howitzers that remain in active service with the remainder of the M109s having been put in storage.

The M109A3GN is the Norwegian version of the M109A3G which is a German upgrade of the American M-109A3 armed with a new 39 caliber barrel allowing the firing of improved 155 mm ammunition including high-explosive, illuminating and smoke, all of which can be fired to a maximum range of 24,700 m. Enhanced range projectiles, such as base bleed, can be fired to a range of 30,000 m.