Ukraine Secures License to Produce 105mm L119 Howitzers

BAE Systems has signed a contract with an undisclosed partner to establish licensed production of 105mm L119 howitzers in Ukraine.
The company announced the agreement in a press release.

Under the licensing agreement, BAE Systems will provide the technical documentation and engineering support required to manufacture the first prototype of the howitzer and conduct its subsequent testing.

The company also stated that the partnership will develop a dedicated version of the howitzer for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, although its technical specifications have not yet been disclosed.

According to BAE Systems, the agreement builds on the company’s longstanding support for Ukraine and its cooperation with Ukraine’s defense industry, aimed at strengthening the country’s domestic defense industrial base.

“Supporting Ukraine is about more than supplying equipment. It is also about working together to build the industrial resilience, skills, and capacity needed to sustain defense capabilities,” the company said.

Plans to localize production of L119 howitzers in Ukraine were first raised in 2023. In particular, it became known in late August of that year that BAE Systems intended to establish production of the howitzers in Ukraine.

At the time, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and BAESystems signed a cooperation agreement that, among other provisions, envisaged the localization of production of selected components, as well as support for the repair and maintenance of artillery systems.

Later, in October 2025, Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a project arrangement on the jointproduction of artilleryIn addition to the British L119, Ukraine’s Defense Forces also operate its U.S. variant, the M119. These systems, which likely served as the basis for the newly signed binding agreement.

L119/M119

In addition to the British L119, the Ukrainian Defense Forces also operate its U.S. variant, the M119. These howitzers have effectively replaced the Soviet-era 122mm D-30, whose barrels have long since reached the end of their service life.

The L119 is compatible with all standard NATO 105mm ammunition and can also fire specialized extended-range rocket-assisted projectiles. Depending on the ammunition type, its maximum firing range is between 11.5 km and 19 km.

The howitzer is manually loaded and is designed to engage enemy personnel, lightly armored vehicles, and field fortifications.

Thanks to its low weight and compact dimensions, the howitzer can be transported by light armored vehicles, pickup trucks, or even externally slung beneath helicopters.

Ukraine also operates the Hawkeye self-propelled howitzer, developed by AM General and MandusGroup. It consists of a lightweight M20 105mm howitzer mounted on an HMMWV M1152 chassis.

For a detailed overview of this artillery system, see our article: British Classic on the Steppes of Ukraine: The L118/L119 Howitzer.