105mm LG1 Mark II Howitzer

The LG1 is a light, 30 calibre length, 105mm towed howitzer designed and produced by GIAT Industries of France. 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 km and 19.5 km using HE-ER G2 and US M913 rounds. The gun is normally towed by a vehicle, but can also be lifted by helicopter, dropped by parachute and transported by air.Canada purchased 28 LG 1 howitzers in 1995, primarily for equipping the Regular Force units. Giat supplied the first howitzers in 1996 and fielding was complete by November 1997.

The 105mm LG1 Mk II has a cannon assembly with a semi-automatic breech, a vertical breech block and a muzzle brake. It has a twin trail, welded top carriage and a recoil mechanism whose variable recoil enables firing without a recoil pit. The trails are coupled to the moving parts through a suspension mechanism so that, with the trails closed, the wheels are in contact with the ground (towing position) and, with the trails open, the wheels are lifted and the platform is in contact with the ground (firing position).The gun can be operated with a crew of five or seven, If necessary, deployment can be performed with a crew of three.

The gun is currently in service with the Belgian Army, Canadian Army, Singapore Army, South African Army and the Royal Thai Army.