Croatia supplied Ukraine with a batch of Soviet 130-mm guns M-46 model 1953
The shortage of artillery is forcing Ukraine to put into service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine guns that have already been withdrawn from service with the armies of other countries. The artillery units of the Ukrainian army, along with modern Western-made models, also have guns created in the Soviet Union immediately after the Great Patriotic War.
Croatia recently handed over to Ukraine a batch of M-46 towed field guns of 130 mm caliber, model 1953, of Soviet production. These guns went to the Croats from the former Yugoslavia, they have already been removed from service with the Croatian army and have been sent for storage. However, persistent requests from Kyiv forced Zagreb to reopen and send a batch of these guns to Ukraine. According to the Croatian press, the Armed Forces of Ukraine received fifteen M-46 guns. There is no information on ammunition.
The details of the delivery of the guns are not reported, so it is not possible to tell when the guns were delivered. The terms of delivery are also unknown, whether Kyiv bought these guns, or whether Zagreb donated them.
The M-46 gun was created to replace the 122-mm A-1931 gun of the 37/19 model and was intended to combat heavy tanks and self-propelled artillery, destruction of defensive structures, etc. A prototype was made in 1950, at the same time the main tests of the gun were carried out. Adopted in 1953. The release of small series was started in 1951 and continued until about 1971. During this time, several thousand M-46s were produced. The gun was also in service with the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries. Currently, it is still in service with a number of countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The gun is capable of firing up to six rounds per minute at a range of 27,5 km. Calculation - 8 people.
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