KUALA LUMPUR: Nexter Systems LG1 105mm howitzer. Shortly after the 2018 Budget was announced, the Defence Ministry came out with a statement that some 20 assets will be purchase. Among those items stated in the statement was “105mm pack howitzer”. The media understandably reported it as such including Malaysian Defence.
However, I can revealed that the statement is incorrect. The army is not buying the 105mm pack howitzer. As Leonardo, the new name for Oto Melara, is no longer marketing the 105mm pack howitzer, this was puzzling to say the least. Many assumed that we are buying the Norinco-made copy of the pack howitzer which reportedly have been sold to Mexico.
Well the Army is buying the 105mm howitzer but its the Nexter Systems LG1 105mm howitzer. Although I wrote in the previous post that the decision to get new 105mm guns came out of the blue, it must be noted that Nexter displayed the LG1 at last year’s DSA.
It is likely that there was a requirement for new towed and air-transportable 105mm guns together with new 155 towed/self-propelled howitzers. As I had mentioned before there was a conundrum over the 155/105 guns especially among the bean counters at the ministry.
This will continue as the Army also wants new towed or truck mounted 155mm howitzers to go along with the tracked M109 SPH we are getting. And yes we are getting the M109s from the US.
It must be noted that Singapore, one of the first adopters of the LG1 howitzers, have retired them in 2008 in favour of a towed 155m howitzer. Malaysia will be joining Thailand and Indonesia as the users of the LG1 in the region.
As for the Nexter guns, I am told that the number being bought is enough to equip one artillery regiment with another two more guns meant for the artillery school in Port Dickson for training and testing (new rounds and techniques).
I am not purview to the Army plans for the new guns or what will happen to the pack howitzers. There is always the possibility that a new artillery regiment be raised for the Nexter guns while the pack howitzers soldiering on for another decade or so. The latter is more likely as I believed there is six Kor Artileri Di Raja close support regiments together with a single regiment with the 10 Para, equipped with the pack howitzers.
It is likely that the contract for the guns will be signed soon – after the details are sorted out – with the public signing conducted at DSA 2018. And whether or not more tube artillery will be bought – 155/105 – towed or truck mounted – remained unknown.
From Nexter.
The light towed 105mm gun is fully adapted to be used by rapid deployment units. Lightness,
ruggedness and ease of handling are its major operational assets.
In operation, the 105 LG1 has proven its unequaled reliability, mobility, manoeuvrability and firepower. Today, it makes the ideal fire support weapon for troops engaged
under all climatic conditions, including on the most difficult terrain. It can fire all compatible
ammunition available within NATO, such as US M1 or the extended range HE ER G3 from Nexter Munitions (more than 17km).
Nexter offers an optional system for the artillery environment (ballistic computer and inertial positioning and laying system) which is simple and adapted to flexible use of the equipment. The 105 LG1 can be integrated in all Fire Control Systems (all types of C3I system, etc
By the way, Deftech has revealed further details of the C-pattern Condor upgrade. Read it here.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (34)
Unfortunately seems many even in the army does not really know the meaning of "pack howitzer", just parroting what they are called and assume all howitzers are "pack howitzer".
The sudden appearance of the LG1, starstreak etc etc without any open tenders would raise a lot questions...
The LG1 Is Good Accrucy and versetile, I think we get 20 105mm Only. By the way Marhalim Which one M109 Varaites is. Upgrade to A6 or Goes to A5 version ?
OOT,
About the MPA program:
' he said, adding that the offer from Japan was nevertheless, not related to the MPA’s procurement mentioned in the recent budget but more of a stop-gap measure'
got that statement from other news,its means that RMAF will have two new type MPA in inventory?
*kalau jadi la*
Better get the K178 from south korea. if roka have faith with the gun, why can't us
Heh, heh:
The Condor C has a V shaped hull, so it will be an MRAP/armoured people mover of sorts after all.
I do not think all military purchases need an open tender. Not many people make 105mm guns anymore...
I am also amazed that the RMAF is now even thinking about SIGINT capability for the MPAs.. vow. That sure is taking it up a step! Its not going to be a very basic MPA.
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SIGINT has always been there just that something not talked about, on the other hand ELINT..
I understand the need for the M109 155mm but a truck mounted or towed 155mm is just redundant. So does this deal for the LG1 105mm howitzer. Or are the tubes of the Oto Melara 105mm pack howitzer and the G5 155mm is exhausted enough that they required complete replacement? Are they no more spare part available?
Personally, the money could have been better spent elsewhere like for another MBT Regiment(VT4 tanks) or sights for the M4s or even bulletproof vest for the army. More RPGs(produce locally) could also be nice. Not a fan of the small and old M72 Law.
Marhalim,
Not sure if it's still the case but in the past the Model 56s were operated by the Royal Artillery [Para] Regiment and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Close Support Regiments.
We already have G-5s and we're going to get M109s. If we get Caesar we'll then have 3 types of 155mm guns - not the most ideal of situations.
Tom Tom - ''The Condor C has a V shaped hull, so it will be an MRAP/armoured people mover of sorts after all.''
It's like saying that even though it can be penetrated by 7.62mm the Condor is still an ''armoured'' vehicle.
Tom Tom - ''I am also amazed that the RMAF is now even thinking about SIGINT capability for the MPAs''
Nothing to be amazed about, the Beechcrafts with AMASCOS have the ability with the DRS300s.
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Thanks. I fixed that.
After M109 and LG1 What's Next ?. M777 or Whealed 155mm SPH. As far as i know Marhalim. When look at the Archer Artillery System it is great and well good Firiring for 30 tones but The Cost ?. Don't know how much. And M777, We Don't need that as we have G5 Howitzers.
Rocks - '' he said, adding that the offer from Japan was nevertheless, not related to the MPA’s procurement mentioned in the recent budget but more of a stop-gap measure’'
It means that a budget for MPAs has already been allocated but given that new MPAs will take time to be delivered; it is possible that ex-Jap P-3s [which can be delivered faster] will be operated as a ''stop-gap measure’'; meaning exactly that - if the P-3s are acquired, they will be retired when new MPAs enter service ...
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I was at the same PC but chose not to write much about it. As for the P-3Cs I don't think it will happen even as an interim measure which was the main reason the offer was taken up. I stand to be corrected of course
azlan-
"It’s like saying that even though it can be penetrated by 7.62mm the Condor is still an ”armoured” vehicle. "
are you sure condor can be penetrated by 7.62mm even it already go for black hawk down scene that they over there using AK-47?