Artillery

The Indirect Fires Modernisation (IFM) program includes the planned acquisition of 80 to 98 self-propelled 155mm howitzers to replace the 33 US-made M777 towed systems currently in service. (Canadian Armed Forces Photo)

Artillery consists of ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, and led to heavy, fairly immobile siege engines. As technology improved, lighter, more mobile field artillery cannons were developed for battlefield use. This development continues today; modern self-propelled artillery vehicles are highly mobile weapons of great versatility generally providing the largest share of an army’s total firepower.