British company to maintain and repair L119 howitzers in Ukraine

Archive photo: British company to maintain and repair L119 howitzers in Ukraine (mil in ua)

BAE Systems company has officially agreed to maintain and repair howitzers in Ukraine, which were previously transferred by Britain to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to the British government’s website.

It is noted that during a trade mission to Kyiv, the British defense company BAE Systems signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defense.

The contract provides for the maintenance and repair of L119 howitzers in Ukraine.

“This means L119s which were donated by the UK to Ukraine can be serviced in country and returned to the frontline quicker and provides vital support for Ukraine’s defense infrastructure,” states the government.

L119

The L119 is a 105-mm towed howitzer designed to support infantry, airborne troops, and assault groups.

105-mm howitzers are effective in destroying lightly armored vehicles. For example, a 105-mm shell exploding near a BMP-1/2 can cause serious damage to the vehicle’s hull due to shell fragments, and in some cases, complete destruction of the vehicle.

A direct hit almost always results in complete destruction. Additionally, howitzers are highly effective against fortifications and concentrations of enemy forces.

Ukrainian soldiers use L119 howitzers

Last year, Ukrainian soldiers demonstrated the operation of the British L119 howitzer on the front line. It is lightweight and mobile, allowing soldiers to quickly strike the enemy and change location.

Back in 2022, Britain announced the transfer of several dozen L119 howitzers and M109 self-propelled artillery systems to Ukraine.

It was recently reported that BAE Systems is ready to produce 105-mm L119 howitzers in Ukraine.