British howitzers L119 for Ukraine
One of the first L119 howitzers in Ukraine. Frame from video from Telegram / ChDambiev
Over the past few months, Britain has promised to help Ukraine with the supply of artillery systems. One of the few real results in this direction was the recent delivery of L119 light howitzers and their ammunition. At the same time, it is obvious that several dozen 105-mm guns of a sufficiently large age will not affect the potential of the Ukrainian army in any way.
Promises and deeds
Back in March, the British press reported that the country's leadership was considering the possibility of sending certain artillery systems to Ukraine. In particular, the hypothetical shipment of AS-90 self-propelled guns with a 155 mm caliber gun was discussed. However, officials did not comment on such rumors until a certain time.
The situation was clarified only at the end of April. Then Defense Minister Ben Wallace said that the AS-90 self-propelled guns were outdated, and therefore they would not be transferred to Ukraine. At the same time, the possibility of sending 105 mm L118 light towed guns was considered. How equivalent and logical is such a "replacement", the minister did not specify.
Later it became known that the British leadership approved such a proposal, and it was light howitzers that were to be sent to Ukraine. At the same time, it was decided not to send L118 products from combat units, but unified L119 from storage. In addition, it was announced that the United States would provide 36 rounds for them from its arsenals.
L119 / M119 gun at the Anglo-American exercises, 2015. Photo by the US Department of Defense
The personnel training activities have also started. So, at the end of May, it was reported that 30 artillery instructors from New Zealand arrived in the UK, who will train 230 Ukrainian servicemen. About a month later, at the end of June, British television showed training activities at one of the local training grounds. It was reported that in the near future Ukrainians with a new weapons will go home.
On July 21, B. Wallace spoke about the next package of military-technical assistance to Ukraine. It includes various systems and ammunition, incl. 36 L119 light howitzers and some shots for them. On the same day, the United States announced the future delivery of an additional batch of 36 shells.
It should be noted that the British army had no more than 16 L119 guns in reserve. Where 20 more will be taken is unknown. Most likely, some third country will provide them - for example, the USA, Australia or New Zealand.
Tools in service
Apparently, the actual supply of weapons within the framework of the new package began at least a few days before the latest statements by B. Wallace. So, already on July 24, the first video evidence of the appearance of L119 howitzers in Ukraine appeared. Such a product was removed, presumably, in one of the areas of Donbass, which is still controlled by Ukrainian formations.
The video, which is several seconds long, shows the implement in a towed position, following a tractor on a dirt road. The towing vehicle remained behind the scenes. The exact date of the shooting is unclear. It is also not known where the artillerymen were sent, and what task they faced.
Light howitzer L119 of the New Zealand Army. Photo by New Zealand Ministry of Defense
Reliable data on the use of L119 howitzers in the combat zone are not yet available. It is possible that units with such weapons are not yet ready for combat work. However, it should be expected that in the near future they will begin to move into position and attempt to shell allied troops or settlements. In addition, the first losses are possible in the near future.
Old sample
Like many other weapons transferred to Ukraine, the L119 howitzer is not new. So, the development of the future L118 and L119 began back in 1965. Initially, the army wanted to get a 105-mm howitzer of minimum size with a mass of no more than 1,6 tons. Such a gun could be towed by any army vehicles and transported by helicopters, both in the cockpit and and on an external sling. The development of the project was entrusted to the royal center RARDE.
Initially, the howitzer was developed for the British 105 mm Fd Mk 2 shot. However, in 1968 it was decided to create a new modification for the ammunition of the common American M1 family. Due to this, it was planned to ensure unification within the framework of NATO, as well as to improve the commercial prospects of the gun.
The basic version of the howitzer for the British shot was designated L118. Modification under M1 was designated as L119. The development of two products went in parallel and was completed by the mid-seventies. In 1975-76. howitzers were put into service and went into series.
The British Army ordered several hundred new guns, the L118 being the bulk of them. L119 howitzers were purchased in limited quantities and only for the Royal Artillery School. It was assumed that the training unit would gradually use up the available stock of American shots, and combat units would use 105 mm Fd Mk 2.
American M119 in the process of being deployed. Photo by the US Department of Defense
Such operation of the L119 guns continued until 2005, when the remaining products were decommissioned and replaced with other materiel. It is curious that at that time the British army had no more than 16 of these guns.
Howitzer under the American shot enjoyed a certain popularity in the market. It was bought in various quantities by the United States (adopted as the M119), Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and other countries. Now the list of operators has been supplemented by Ukrainian formations.
Design features
The L118/119 is a 105 mm light towed/air transport howitzer. The total length of the product in the stowed position reaches 8,8 m, weight - 1860 kg. The gun is serviced by a crew of 4-6 people. and can be towed by various tractors or transported by military transport aviation.
The L119 howitzer was built on the basis of the L20 type barrel group. The latter includes a rifled 105-mm barrel with a length of 37 calibers with a muzzle brake and a vertical wedge gate. The shot is carried out by a trigger mechanism with a striker - in contrast to the L118 gun with an electric trigger. The barrel is mounted on hydropneumatic recoil devices of a reduced profile.
The gun uses an L17 type carriage. It has traditional top and bottom looms with sprung wheel travel. A bent tube bed with an opener in the rear is also provided. A base plate is fixed on it in the stowed position. This design of the carriage gives the gun a characteristic appearance.
Shots family M1. Photo by the US Department of Defense
In the combat position, the base plate is lowered to the ground, and the carriage is fixed on it with the help of cables. Due to the rotation on the plate, a rough circular horizontal guidance is provided. Precise guidance is carried out by carriage mechanisms within 5,6 ° to the right and left. Vertical aiming - from -5,6 ° to + 70 °. The gunner uses optical and panoramic sights. The M119A3 modification for the US Army also used an electronic data processing unit for firing.
The L119 is capable of using the M1 line of separate loading rounds. They include a metal sleeve with a variable charge and projectiles for various purposes. There are high-explosive fragmentation, incendiary, smoke and other ammunition. The rate of fire of the gun reaches 6-8 rds / min. Firing range - 11,4 km.
Challenges and limitations
The British 105mm L119 howitzer has a specific balance of strengths and weaknesses. Its overall potential and capabilities are affected by the considerable age of the project as a whole and specific serial products, their current state and other factors. In addition, the volume of supplies of weapons and ammunition for them is of great importance.
The main advantages of the L119 are considered to be low weight and high mobility. A gun with ammunition and crew is easily transported by any trucks. It is also possible to transfer by air, but for Ukraine this is no longer relevant. In addition, the gun is quite easy to operate and can use a wide range of NATO 105mm ammunition.
However, these advantages come with a number of disadvantages. In addition, the specifics of the existing theater of operations affect the potential of the gun. As a result, Ukrainian artillerymen should not count on high results.
Air transport of M119 howitzers
The main drawbacks of the L119 are related to the caliber. The 105-mm gun loses in terms of firing range to other artillery systems widely used in the combat zone. There are increased risks of retaliation with predictable consequences. In addition, the caliber affects the power of the ammunition and the required consumption of shells.
The new caliber also leads to problems in logistics and supply. Now Ukrainian suppliers will have to distribute and transport howitzer shells of four different calibers at once. Whether it will be possible to fit new shots into existing logistics and provide the necessary volumes of delivery is a big question.
The problem is the small number of delivered howitzers. 36 guns will be enough to equip only a few batteries, which will have limited fire capabilities and will not be able to affect the course of the battles. At the same time, there are increased risks of destroying such weapons, and the effectiveness of the entire group will be constantly reduced.
Predictable Scenario
The situation around the L119 howitzers is following a long-familiar scenario. Great Britain got rid of guns that had been idle for many years, and also formally helped Ukraine. Due to the small number of howitzers and limited performance, the value of such assistance is highly questionable. L119 will not be able to influence the course of the battles, and any attempt to use them is associated with increased risks.
However, British howitzers pose a certain danger, and such a threat should not be forgotten. As is the case with other foreign artillery systems, our troops need to use all available capabilities to detect and destroy them. And the experience of recent months shows that the service of 36 L119 products will be short and unsuccessful.
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