M109 self-propelled howitzers from Latvia already showing results on the battlefield – Reznikov

Ukraine received six M109 self-propelled howitzers from Latvia, which are already being used on the battlefield against the Russian invaders.

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced this on Twitter.

Artillery weapons were transferred as military-technical assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in repelling a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation.

“6 more M109 howitzers that have recently arrived in Ukraine from Latvia are already showing results on the battlefield,” Reznikov wrote.

The Ukrainian minister also thanked his Latvian colleague, Artis Pabriks, and the entire Latvian people for their “unwavering support” of Ukraine.

“Together we will win!” Oleksii Reznikov stressed.

Latvia handed over M109A5Oe self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, which were previously in service in Austria and then purchased by the Latvian Armed Forces. The self-propelled howitzers bought by Latvia underwent modernization during their service with the Austrian army in 2003-2007 and were then sent to storage.

In October 2018, during a visit to the Ādaži military base, Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Bergman announced the completion of the deal for the supply of 47 combat vehicles purchased from Austria.

As part of this deal, in addition to 35 M109A5Oe self-propelled howitzers, 10 ReStP artillery control vehicles (based on the M109 self-propelled howitzer) and 2 vehicles for crew training (based on the M109 self-propelled howitzer) were delivered.

As previously reported, the deal for the purchase of M109A5Oe self-propelled howitzers was signed in May 2017, the total cost of which is not disclosed, but it is known that, depending on the type of machine, the price per unit ranges from EUR 60 to 140 thousand. The first batch of combat vehicles arrived in the country on October 1, 2017. They have already participated in military exercises in Latvia.

In May 2021, Latvian media, citing information from the Ministry of Defense of Latvia, reported on the acquisition by the country’s army of additional 18 M-109A5Oe self-propelled howitzers worth more than EUR 2 million.

The M-109A5Oe is capable of firing at a distance of 22 km with conventional ammunition and at a distance of 30 km with special ammunition. The time required to move from the march to the first shot is 1 minute, sufficient to leave the position after firing is 30 seconds.