Former Belgian Army M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers were sold to Ukraine by a private company.

This was announced by Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder.

It is reported that the private company OIP Land Systems has sold self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.

It was recently reported that the Belgian Ministry of Defense was trying to buy these howitzers from the company, but the sale price that the OIP demanded for the purchase of the M109 was more than 10 times higher than the price at which they were sold.

In 2008, the Belgian army withdrew 64 M109A4BE 155mm self-propelled howitzers from service.

In 2015, at least some of them were sold to a private company Flanders Technical Supply (FTS) that was founded by two partners (one of which recently passed away), and specialized in the purchase and sale of military surplus all over the world.The contract did not imply any buyout conditions.

During Defense and Security Thailand 2018, Army community was shown some pictures of these M109s in pristine condition stored in a hangar.

Recently, the Ukrainian authorities contacted the Belgian Defense because they were interested in these howitzers (possibly informed of their availability by undisclosed contacts).

“There was a discussion but, when we reconnected with the company, it had already sold them. We do not have to know to whom it sold them, or for how much”, explained Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder in response to questions from Parliament members.

However, these howitzers have taken the road to Ukraine, according to the minister who says she doesn’t know the details of the operation.

“What interests us is that the Ukrainians can have this material, that’s the main thing,” added Mrs. Dedonder.

According to her, the Flemish armament company OIP Land Systems received howitzers from Flanders Technical Supply.