According to a video published by the 28th separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army, M109A3GN 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers donated by Norway are used effectively by Ukrainian army artillery unit to destroy Russian army MSTA-B 152mm towed howitzers.
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Ukrainian soldiers operate M109A3GN 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source Facebook 28th separate mechanized brigade)
On June 8, 2022, the Army Recognition editorial team reported that Norway confirmed the donation to Ukraine of 22 Norwegian versions of M109 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers called M109A3GN.
Citing information from the United States Department of Defense, soldiers from the U.S. and Norway trained in Germany Armed Forces of Ukraine artillerymen on the M109A3GN howitzers as part of security assistance packages from their respective countries.
Ukrainian soldiers have shown great motivation to use these M109 155mm howitzers and are now able to carry out combat missions with high efficiency in the field of operations in Ukraine.
The M109A3GN is a modernized version of the German M109A3 tracked self-propelled howitzer which is fitted with a 155mm 39 caliber gun. The artillery system also features a new 155 mm projectile magazine at the rear of the turret bustle. This can be reloaded through two outward-opening doors and holds 22 projectiles. The vehicle can carry a total of 34 155 mm projectiles.
The M109A3GN is able to fire a wide range of 155mm NATO 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.
The MSTA-B is a Soviet towed 152.4 mm howitzer that entered into service with the Russian army in 1987 and as of 2022 is currently in service with Russian front and army level artillery units, as well as the militaries of six other countries.
The MSTA-B can fire the same ammunition as the Russian-made 2S19 152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. It can fire conventional OF45 high-explosive projectiles with a maximum firing range of around 25 km and OF72 long-range ammunition with a maximum firing range of 29 km. The howitzer is towed by either the KrAZ-260 6x6 truck or the Ural 4320 6x6 truck.
Russian MSTA-B 152mm towed howitzer (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)
