Ukrainian Armed Forces use OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm howitzer in Donbas

Ukrainian gunners use the Italian OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm howitzer.

A photo from the war zone with this weapon was published by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Most likely, the photo was taken on the front line in the Donbas.

Previously, Militarnyi reported on the training of the Ukrainian military in Spain, where they mastered this howitzer.

In November 2022, the Minister of Defense of Spain announced the delivery of a battery of six such howitzers to Ukraine.

In February 2023, OTO Melara Mod 56 hit the lens of an Associated Press photographer in Avdiivka, Donetsk region.

The OTO Melara Mod 56 is an Italian 105mm howitzer that was created for light infantry units. Barrel length – 14 calibers.

The howitzer can fire at a distance of more than 10 km at a rate of 10 rounds per minute. The elevation can vary from -7 to + 65 degrees.

The weapon is easily divided into 12 components, which can be transported separately. In the Italian army, such a feature was provided for the ability to move firepower, even with the help of mules. Without a protective shield, the howitzer can be transported inside the landing compartment of the M113 tracked armored personnel carrier.

In total, more than 2,300 howitzers were produced, which are in service, and the dossiers are in service with about 30 countries.