GIAT LG1
| GIAT LG-1 | |
|---|---|
 Royal Thai Army firing extended range ammunition from LG1 during training in Lopburi, Thailand | |
| Type | Howitzer |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | GIAT Industries (now Nexter group) |
| Manufacturer | GIAT Industries |
| No. built | 130[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,520 kg (3,350 lb) |
| Barrel length | 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Shell | 105 mm NATO |
| Breech | horizontal block |
| Carriage | split trail |
| Elevation | -3°/+70° |
| Traverse | ±25° from centerline |
| Rate of fire | 12 rounds per minute |
| Maximum firing range | 19.5 kilometres (12.1 mi) |
The LG1 is a modern 105 mm towed howitzer designed and produced by GIAT Industries (now Nexter group) of France.
Design
The LG1 howitzer is a 105 mm towed artillery piece that features both low weight and a high level of accuracy over long distances. Its lightweight construction gives the barrel a relatively short lifespan. The equivalent full charge (EFC) count is suggested to be approximately 7,500; however, during fire and practice, has yielded only around 1,500 EFCs. The gun was specifically designed for use by rapid deployment forces with attributes such as ruggedness, ease of operation and reduced weight. It can fire all NATO standard 105 mm ammunition up to a range of 18.5 and 19.5 kilometres (11.5 and 12.1 mi) using HE-ER G2 and US M913 rounds.
Deployment
The gun has been used by the Belgian Army, Canadian Army, Colombian National Army, Indonesian Army, Singapore Army and the Royal Thai Army.[1]
Current service version with Canadian artillery is the LG1 Mark II, of which 28 were purchased for the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA). Giat supplied the first howitzers in 1996 and fielding was complete by November 1997.
Planned improvements
In August 2005, DEPRO (GVB) Incorporated - a Canadian defence firm, was selected by the Canadian Forces to improve their LG-1 guns with improvements ranging from new & better muzzle brake, new-designed spades for better stability during firing and larger tires to replace the small Pirelli tires (which were found to be inadequate for proper ground clearance while on the move). It is expected that this new set of improvements will give the LG-1 howitzers greater reliability and lifespan, and increase the safety margin for the crew.[citation needed]
Combat history
Operators
Current operators
- Belgian Army - 14[1]
- Canadian Army - 28[1]
- Colombian Army - 20 operational since 2009.[2][3]
- Royal Thai Army - 24 Units[1]
- Royal Thai Marine Corps - 30 Units
Future operators
Former operators
- Singapore Army - 39[1] (Phased out in 2008, replaced by the 155mm calibre SLWH Pegasus)
See also
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g "105mm LG1 MkII - Contracts, Orders & Sales". Deagel.Com. 1 August 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Tecnodefesa - A mais antiga publicação de Defesa da América Latina". tecnodefesa.com.br. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ "Army of Colombia has take delivery of three new Nexter System LG1 Mk III 105mm light guns". 5 July 2014.
- ^ www.janes.com/article/79410/dsa-2018-nexter-to-provide-18-105-mm-lg1-artillery-systems-to-malaysian-army
- ^ http://www.malaysiandefence.com/nexter-105mm-lg1-howitzer/
