Artillery in Canadian Service: Giat LG1 Mk. II 105-mm towed howitzer

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LG1 Mk. II 105-mm Howitzer, Queen Elizabeth II Cypher, 89th Field Battery, Woodstock, New Brunswick.

The LG1 howitzer is a 105 mm towed artillery piece that features both low weight and a high level of accuracy over long distances. Its lightweight construction gives the barrel a relatively short lifespan. The equivalent full charge (EFC) count is suggested to be approximately 7,500; however, during fire and practice, has yielded only around 1,500 EFCs. The gun was specifically designed for use by rapid deployment forces with attributes such as ruggedness, ease of operation and reduced weight. It can fire all NATO standard 105 mm ammunition up to a range of 17 kilometres (11 mi) using HE-ER G3 base bleed rounds.

Current service version with Canadian artillery is the LG1 Mark II, of which 28 were purchased for the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA). Giat supplied the first howitzers in 1996 and fielding was complete by November 1997.

In August 2005, DEPRO (GVB) Incorporated - a Canadian defence firm, was selected by the Canadian Forces to improve their LG-1 guns with improvements ranging from new & better muzzle brake, new-designed spades for better stability during firing and larger tires to replace the small Pirelli tires (which were found to be inadequate for proper ground clearance while on the move). It is expected that this new set of improvements will give the LG-1 howitzers greater reliability and lifespan, and increase the safety margin for the crew. (Wikipedia)

(Author Photos)

LG1 Mk. II 105-mm Howitzer, Queen Elizabeth II Cypher, 89th Field Battery, Woodstock, New Brunswick.

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LG1 Mk. II 105-mm Howitzer, Queen Elizabeth II Cypher, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School, 5 Canadian Division Support Base (5 CDSB) Gagetown, New Brunswick.

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LG1 Mk. II 105-mm Howitzer, Queen Elizabeth II Cypher, Prince Edward Island Regiment Armoury, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

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