155 GH 52 APU
{{Short description|Finnish 155 mm towed gun-howitzer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox weapon|
|name=155 GH 52 APU
|image= 155 K 98 Lippujuhlan päivä 2014 3.JPG
|image_size = 300
|caption=155 K 98
|type=Gun-howitzer
|origin=Finland
|is_artillery=yes
|is_vehicle=yes
|service=1998–
|used_by=Finnish Army
Egyptian Army
|wars=
|designer=Patria
|design_date=
|manufacturer=Patria
Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries (licensed production)
|unit_cost= 500,000 €{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-5787688|title=Patrian kanuunoissa vakavia ongelmia|date=30 October 2008|publisher=Yle|access-date=18 December 2020|language=fi|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181221101452/https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-5787688|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live}}
|production_date=1998–2005{{cite book|last=Toivonen|first=Vesa|title=Tampellasta Patriaan: 70 vuotta suomalaista raskasta aseenvalmistusta – From Tampella to Patria: 70 years of Finnish heavy weapons production|year=2003|publisher=Apali Oy|isbn=952-5026-26-4}}
|number=73+
|variants=155 GH 52
155 GH 52 APU
155 K 98
155GH52-SP-T55
|spec_label=155 K 98
|mass={{convert|13500|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (without equipment)
{{convert|14580|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (fully equipped)[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/155_K_98_Lippujuhlan_p%C3%A4iv%C3%A4_2014_12.JPG Finnish Defence Forces equipment display: 155 K 98], at Rakuunamäki, Lappeenranta on Finnish Defence Forces Flag Day 4 June 2014.
|length=
|part_length={{cvt|8060|mm|in}} L/52
|width=
|height=
|cartridge=155 mm NATO, separate caseless charge bags
|cartridge_weight={{convert|43|kg|lb|abbr=on}} to
{{convert|47|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://maavoimat.fi/155k98|title=155K98|publisher=Finnish Army|access-date=18 December 2020|language=fi|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181221101512/https://maavoimat.fi/155k98|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live}}
|caliber={{convert|155|mm|in}}
|rate=6–10 rounds/min
3 rounds in 12 seconds
|velocity=over {{convert|900|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
|range={{convert|28|km|mi}} (standard ammunition)
{{convert|40|km|mi}} (base bleed ammunition)
|max_range={{convert|41|km|mi}}
|sights=Optical panoramic periscopic dial sight
Telescopic direct fire sight
|breech=Horizontal semi-automatic sliding block
|recoil=Hydro-pneumatic
|carriage=Split trail, sole plate, auxiliary power unit and hydraulics
|traverse= ±35° from centreline
|engine=Deutz
|engine_power={{convert|78|kW|bhp|abbr=on}}
|speed={{convert|15|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
{{convert|8|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} (terrain)
|}}
The 155 GH 52 APU (which stands for 155 mm gun-howitzer, 52 calibers, auxiliary power unit), Finnish designation 155 K 98 (155 mm kenttäkanuuna 1998 or "155 mm field gun 1998"; FDF terminology does not recognise gun-howitzers), is a Finnish towed artillery piece developed in 1998. It is largely based on the 155 K 83 with some major enhancements. It can be moved on the field short distances with its own auxiliary diesel engine, which is used in all 56 units used by the Finnish defence forces, is a 78-kilowatt Deutz diesel engine. The Egyptian units are not equipped with the APU.
The 155 GH 52 is considered to be one of the most modern field artillery cannons to date and was originally manufactured by Oy Tampella AB industries (today a part of Patria, Patria Vammas Systems Oy). It has a high rate of fire (6 rounds per minute) and can fire all types of 155 mm ammunition.
Domestic operators
The Kainuu Artillery Regiment of Kainuu Brigade in Vuosanka shooting range and the Artillery Brigade in Niinisalo in Pohjankangas shooting range operate the guns in Finland. The artillery units train also at Rovajärvi shooting range in Rovaniemi, Lapland.
In Finnish practice one infantry readiness brigade has one organic artillery regiment consisting of two artillery fire battalions. Both of the artillery fire battalions have 18 cannons divided in three six cannon batteries, which means that an artillery regiment, which is an organic unit for a readiness brigade, should have 36 cannons in its two artillery battalions. Finland has three readiness brigades.
Export
{{More citations needed section|date=May 2024}}
In 2003 a gun was mounted on a Soviet T-55 chassis for use as a self-propelled gun prototype. This vehicle was designed primarily as a design study for the Egyptian Army. It was later sold to Egypt, but no deal of more units were made.
On 21 May 2007, the Finnish Yleisradio revealed some problems with the 155 GH 52 APU, dealing with reliability issues of the towing system and barrel behavior when firing long-distance rounds. These facts had been withheld from the Egyptians at the time of the deal. The major challenges have been the accuracy of fire in the longest distances and barrel wear with same distances.
The arms deal lead into a juridical process formally presented as an allegation of corruption. Inspector Janne Järvinen and state prosecutor Ari-Pekka Koivisto investigated if the 10% trade commission had been partly allocated to the directors of the buying organisation using the commercial agent.{{Cite web|url=http://www.secmeter.com/patria.html|title=Patria - SecMeter|website=www.secmeter.com}}{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2024}}
Characteristics
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2024}}
The gun's deployment power is 78 kW and its driven speed (in terrain, to location) is 7.5 km/h or 15 km/h when pulled by a heavy truck. The cost of one system is 500,000 euros.
After having encountered problems with firing at 35 km – 40 km, the Finnish Army concentrated its artillery gun development on the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (in Finnish arsenal 298 RsRakH 06, later 298 RSRAKH 06) bought as Dutch surplus.
Variants
Based on the 155 K98 cannon, Patria developed the 155GH52-SP-T55. It is a turreted variant of the cannon which is installed on a T-55 tank chassis, and was developed to be exported to Egypt.
Based on the 155 K98, Patria and Sisu are developing a wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The platform would be the Sisu E13TP. An initial digital designed was made public in 2015.{{Cite web |title=PUOLUSTUSVOIMIEN KESKEISET MATERIAALIHANKKEET KOTIMAISEN PUOLUSTUSTEOLLISUUDEN KANNALTA LOGISTIIKKAYHTEISTYÖ RUOTSIN, NORJAN JA VIRON KANSSA – PDF Ilmainen lataus |url=https://docplayer.fi/6228187-Puolustusvoimien-keskeiset-materiaalihankkeet-kotimaisen-puolustusteollisuuden-kannalta-logistiikkayhteistyo-ruotsin-norjan-ja-viron-kanssa.html |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=docplayer.fi}} In 2024, the development of the project by Patria advanced with the intent to make a prototype.{{Cite web |last=Redacción |date=2024-04-14 |title=Patria se prepara para reanudar la producción de cañones y desarrollar un nuevo vehículo de combate de artillería |url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2024/04/14/patria-se-prepara-para-reanudar-la-produccion-de-canones-y-desarrollar-un-nuevo-vehiculo-de-combate-de-artilleria/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Zona Militar |language=es-AR}} The first prototype was unveiled in 2025 at Arctic Event 2025, and its name was unveiled, the Patria ARVE.{{Cite web |last=Valpolini |first=Paolo |date=2025-03-20 |title=Patria anticipates Finnish needs unveiling its ARVE truck-mounted 155 mm self-propelled howitzer |url=https://www.edrmagazine.eu/patria-anticipates-finnish-needs-unveiling-its-arve-truck-mounted-155-mm-self-propelled-howitzer |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=EDR Magazine |language=en-GB}}
Operators
=Current operators=
- {{EGY}} – at least 16 units,{{cite book|title=SIPRI Yearbook 2005: Armaments, Disarmament, and International Security|year=2005|chapter=Part II. Military spending and armaments, 2004 – Appendix 10B. Register of transfers and licensed production of major conventional weapons, 2004|page=468|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|isbn=978-0-19-928401-6}}{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37047:egyptian-armed-forces&catid=119:african-militaries|title=Egyptian Armed Forces|last=Martin|first=Guy|website=www.defenceweb.co.za|date=11 December 2014|publisher=defenceWeb|access-date=18 December 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201218112045/https://www.defenceweb.co.za/security/african-militaries/egyptian-armed-forces/?catid=119:african-militaries|archive-date=18 December 2020|url-status=live}} variant 155 GH 52 without the APU.
- {{FIN}} – 56 units.
See also
- List of artillery
- {{lwc|130 K 90-60|122 K 60}}
- {{lwc|155 K 83}}
- {{lwc|130 K 90-60}}
- {{lwc|Soltam M-68}}
- {{lwc|Soltam M-71}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180404201140/https://maavoimat.fi/155k98 155 K 98] {{In lang|fi}}
- [https://fact100.momp.gov.eg/Ar/products_details.aspx?ProduectId=pLNwaEiq-i2V4YeH/Y3IgWP-QNdm210wCGowu7QXlEFPNb1aM4Uq6aZp6E0g8rjC 155 GH 52 at Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries website] {{In lang|ar}}
{{Patria (company)}}
{{Authority control}}