United Defense Technology, has released photos of the delivery of the first 105mm LG1 Mk. III towed light howitzers, 6 systems out of 12 systems for the Royal Thai Army that has arrived in Thailand. The howitzer was specifically designed for use by rapid deployment forces with attributes such as ruggedness, ease of operation and reduced weight. The towing vehicle is a new Land Rover Defender. The project to purchase 105mm towed howitzers from United Defense Technology (the Thai distributor of Nexter) in the amount of 834,400,000 baht ($ 26,722,194 or 22,677,763 Euros) will replace the old 105mm towed howitzer that has been long used and obsolete in part. The LG1 is a modern 105 mm towed howitzer designed and produced by GIAT Industries (now Nexter group) of France.
Army Recognition reported that according to the military balance 2020, the Royal Thai Army to equipp with 24 LG1 Mk.II 105mm towed howitzers. The Nexter LG1 Mk III towed howitzers is also used by the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The new LG1 Mk. III towed light gun is expected to enter service in the 11th Artillery Battalion, 1st Artillery Regiment, King’s Guard, 1st Brigade, which is a 105mm light field artillery unit. The howitzer is lightweight, very easy to use and is the ideal weapon for airlift, airdropping, helicopter or amphibious operations. The howitzer has been used by the Belgian Army, Canadian Army, Colombian National Army, Indonesian Marine Corps, Singapore Army, Malaysian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces.
The Nexter Systems LG1 Mk. III towed light howitzer is particularly well adapted to rapid intervention forces operating over difficult terrain. The LG1 is based on a split trail carriage and a 105mm caliber gun that is fitted with a double-baffle muzzle brake. When deployed in the firing position, it is supported on its two trails and a circular firing platform that is lowered under the forward part of the carriage. The gun can be towed by a light truck or a 4×4 light tactical vehicle. LG1 is fully air-portable slung under light or medium helicopters, air-droppable, and can be deployed by parachute. It can also be carried inside tactical transport aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, which can carry four weapons.
The new MK III is now on offer, with an inertial navigation unit used to guide, position and aim the canon. This system further reduces the time for getting into firing configuration. The new howitzer can be integrated into a firing control system (system C3l). The LG1 MK III 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. 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.
