GIAT LG1
{{Redirect|LG1|other uses|lg1 (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = GIAT LG-1
| image = Royal Thai Army firing LG1 howitzer with extended range ammunition.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Royal Thai Army firing extended range ammunition from LG1 during training in Lopburi, Thailand
| origin = France
| type = Howitzer
| is_ranged =
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive =
| is_artillery = yes
| is_vehicle =
| is_UK =
| service =
| used_by = See operators
| wars =
| designer = GIAT Industries (now Nexter group)
| design_date =
| manufacturer = GIAT Industries
| unit_cost = ${{round|{{to USD|648857|Canada|year=1994}}|-3}} (Mk II, 1994),{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yZrtAAAAMAAJ&q=%22C+%24+18+million%22 | title=Jane's Defence Contracts: A Jane's Defence Weekly Publication | date=1994 }}
${{round|{{to USD|69533533|Thailand|year=2023}}|-3}} (Mk III, 2023){{cite web | url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2023/royal-thai-army-modernizes-artillery-with-nexter-lg1-mk-iii-howitzers | title=Royal Thai Army modernizes artillery with Nexter LG1 Mk III howitzers | date=5 October 2023 }}
| production_date =
| variants =
| weight = {{convert|1520|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| length =
| part_length = {{convert|3.15|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}
| width =
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| crew = 5
| cartridge = 105 mm NATO
| action =
| rate = 12 rounds per minute
| velocity =
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| max_range = {{convert|17|km}} using Base bleed rounds{{cite web |url=https://www.nexter-group.fr/en/nos-produits |title = OUR PRODUCTS {{!}} Nexter}}
| feed =
| sights =
| breech = Horizontal-block
| recoil =
| carriage = Split trail
| elevation = -3°/+70°
| traverse = ±25° from centerline
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}}
The LG1 is a modern 105 mm towed howitzer designed and produced by GIAT Industries (now Nexter group) of France.
Design
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 {{convert|17|km}} using HE-ER G3 base bleed rounds.{{cite web |url=https://www.nexter-group.fr/en/nos-produits |title = OUR PRODUCTS {{!}} Nexter}}
Deployment
The gun has been used by the Belgian Army, Canadian Army, Colombian National Army,Malaysian Army, Indonesian Marine Corps, Singapore Army and the Royal Thai Army.
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.
Planned improvements
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.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}
Combat history
Operators
=Current operators=
{{flag|Belgium}} :
- Belgian Army - 14
{{flag|Canada}} :
- Canadian Army - 28
{{flag|Colombia}} :
- Colombian Army - 20 LG1 MkIII ordered in 2008 + 20 ordered in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.tecnodefesa.com.br/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1110:nexter-systems-mostra-peca-de-105mm-lg-1-mkiii-colombiana&catid=35:noticias&Itemid=55|title=Tecnodefesa - A mais antiga publicação de Defesa da América Latina|work=tecnodefesa.com.br|access-date=20 December 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_2014_global_defense_security_news_uk/army_of_colombia_has_take_delivery_of_three_new_nexter_system_lg1_mk_iii_105mm_light_guns_0507142.html |title=Army of Colombia has take delivery of three new Nexter System LG1 Mk III 105mm light guns |date=5 July 2014}} There were several problems with its buffers and trunnions, along with accuracy issues in its INS Keafott KN-4051 fire control system after a few rounds and constant use/real fire training, therefore the manufacturer included improvements in its buffer system, cradle and trunnions, also the FCS was changed for the Nexter BACARA FCS, tested and approved in 2014.
{{flag|Indonesia}} :
{{flag|Malaysia}} :
- Malaysian Army - 18{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/article/94775/malaysia-receives-first-batch-of-nexter-105-mm-lg1-light-towed-artillery-systems |title = Janes {{!}} Latest defence and security news}}
{{flag|Thailand}} :
- Royal Thai Army - 24 Units
- Royal Thai Marine Corps - 30 Units
{{flag|Saudi Arabia}} :
- Royal Saudi Land Forces - 88{{Cite web |title=Trade Registers |url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=armstrade.sipri.org}} Ordered in 2017, delivered from 2018
{{flag|Senegal}} :
- Senegalese Army - 8 ordered in 2022
=Former operators=
{{flag|Singapore}} :
- Singapore Army - 39 (Phased out in 2008, replaced by the 155mm calibre SLWH Pegasus)
{{flag|Rwanda|1962}} :
- The former Forces Armées Rwandaises received some LG1s, after the Rwandan Civil War erupted in 1990.{{cite magazine|journal=Human Rights Watch Arms Project |date=January 1994 |volume= 6|issue= 1 |title=Arming Rwanda: The Arms Trade and Human Rights, Abuses in the Rwandan War|page=16|url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/RWANDA941.PDF}}
See also
References
;Notes
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|GIAT LG1}}
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{{Authority control}}