The M109A3 self-propelled howitzers provided by Norway are already at the frontline, hitting targets with high accuracy and destroying the enemy.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, reported this information.
"As my artillery men point out, the principal difference between these guns and Soviet-style guns is that these are made for humans. Despite the fact that these self-propelled howitzers were made in the 1960-the 70s, instead of levers, they have the steering wheel; instead of a mechanical gearbox, they have an automatic one. For wintertime, when icing of the hull is possible, the developers slightly rubberized it to prevent it from being slippery for the crew. The soldiers enjoyed even such simple things as the baskets for personal belongings welded around the edges of the turret," - he said.
In terms of technical characteristics, the M109A3 howitzers have a larger caliber and use more powerful ammunition than those made in the Soviet Union. The shooting range is up to 22 km.
"In the future, we can use rocket-assisted projectiles that increase this distance. Experienced artillery men also note the convenience of ammunition, which are airtight and completely identical, which affects the accuracy of the flight when firing," - said Zaluzhnyi, noting that his men mastered these weapons with ease in one week.
Zaluzhnyi thanked the Norwegians for their efficient help.
"I count on the continued support of partner countries regarding the means of enemy destruction, as their artillery and multiple launch rocket systems are the main cause of our losses. Without the immediate supply of long-range artillery and MLRSs, it is becoming more and more difficult for us to deter the aggressor," - reads the statement.
At the beginning of the war, it became known that Norway would provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid and military equipment worth $ 226m.
