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OTO Melara 105 mm Howitzer Was Seen in Action in Ukraine

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OTO Melara 105mm Howitzer - Photo from President Volodymyr Zelensky Twitter
OTO Melara 105mm Howitzer - Photo from President Volodymyr Zelensky Twitter

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 on Twitter.

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

Read more: Ukraine to Get 105 mm L118 Howitzers, Comparison And Specification

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

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.

105-mm OTO Melara Mod 56 Light Gun
105-mm OTO Melara Mod 56 Light Gun

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

The gun became the standard equipment of the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (AMF ACE Mobile Force (Land)) artillery, equipping the batteries provided by Canada, Belgium, Germany, Italy and the UK until 1975.

Read more: Ukraine’s Artillerymen Learn to Strike russians With M119A3 105mm Howitzers, With Digital Fire Control System