View source for G5 howitzer

{{EngvarB|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=LIW G5 155 mm Howitzer
|image=SANDF Armed Forces Day 2017 - South African Army G5 155mm howitzer (32892350632).jpg
|image_size=300
|caption=G5 on display
|origin=South Africa
|type=[[Howitzer]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_artillery=yes
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=1983–present<ref name="Arty">{{cite book |first=Jeff |last=Kinard|title=Artillery: An Illustrated History of Its Impact|year=2008 |url=https://archive.org/details/artilleryillustr00kina |url-access=limited |edition=2007|pages=[https://archive.org/details/artilleryillustr00kina/page/n313 301]–476 |publisher=ABC-CLIO Publishers|isbn=978-1-85109-561-2}}</ref>
|used_by=[[G5 howitzer#Operators|Operators]]
|wars=[[South African Border War]]<br />[[Iran–Iraq War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=Lyttelton Engineering Works
|design_date=1976–1983
|manufacturer=[[Denel Land Systems]]
|production_date=1982–present
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight=13,750 kg (30,314 lbs)<ref name="Arty"/>
|length={{convert|9.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|width={{convert|3.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|height={{convert|2.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length={{convert|6.975|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} L/45
|crew=8 soldiers
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=high explosive
|caliber=155 mm (6.10 in)
|action=
|rate=3 rounds/minute
|velocity={{convert|897|m/s|0|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range=Standard: {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}}<br>Base bleed: {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}}<br>VLAP: {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.denel.co.za/Landsystems/LS_ArtillerySysG5.pdf|title=G5 155mm Towed Gun/Howitzer|date=3 September 2004|publisher=[[Denel]]}}</ref>
|feed=Breech-loaded
|sights=
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=Semi-automatic [[interrupted screw]]
|recoil=
|carriage=[[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|Split trail]]
|elevation=−3° to +75°
|traverse=Up to 15°: 82°<br /> Above 15°: 65°
}}

The '''G5''' is a South African towed [[howitzer]] of [[155 mm]] calibre developed in South Africa by [[Denel Land Systems]]. The G5 design was based on the Canadian [[GC-45 howitzer|GC-45]] 155&nbsp;mm gun which was highly modified to suit southern African conditions.

==Production history==
During the [[South African Border War|Angolan Bush War]], the [[South African Defence Force]] found itself at a disadvantage when facing opponents equipped with long-range Soviet [[Katyusha rocket launcher]]s, which outranged South Africa's World War II-era [[BL 5.5-inch Medium Gun|5.5-inch (140 mm) howitzers]] by a considerable margin.<ref>''The Encyclopedia of World Military Weapons 1988''. {{ISBN|0-517-65341-9}}</ref> This led to the issue of a staff requirement for a new artillery system as well as ammunition systems, gun tractor, fire control equipment and a fire control computer system.<ref name=Janes1996_G5>{{cite book|title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 1996–97|year=1996|publisher=Janes Information Group|page=697 |isbn=9780710613745}}</ref>

From 1963, South Africa had been placed under a United Nations sponsored anti-[[apartheid]] arms embargo that led to the creation of the indigenous [[Armscor (South Africa)|Armscor]] military-industrial company to circumvent the arms embargo and to produce weapons systems uniquely tailored to South Africa's needs. Armscor responded to the staff requirement and commenced development in 1976. A number of existing designs were evaluated and examples procured in contravention of the arms embargo. As an interim weapon system to act as a stop-gap during the indigenous production process, a number of [[Soltam M-71|Soltam 155&nbsp;mm M-71]] gun-howitzers were procured from Israel and entered service as the G4 howitzer.<ref name=Janes1996_G5 />

The Canadian [[GC-45 howitzer|GC-45]] was selected as the baseline howitzer from which to commence indigenous development.<ref name=Janes1996_G5 /> Armscor procured barrels, 30,000 rounds and design specifications for the GC-45 from [[Gerald Bull]].  One of the GC-45 test pieces was mounted on a US [[155 mm Long Tom|155&nbsp;mm M59]] carriage – and a further six GC-45s had changes made to internal ballistics, barrel construction and carriage and cradle fixtures, to become the prototype models eventually leading to the G5. These GC-45s had been developed by SRC International of Belgium, a joint venture between Gerald Bull's [[Space Research Corporation]] of Canada and [[Poudreries Réunies de Belgique|PRB]] of Belgium.<ref>Janes (1996), pg. 645</ref> Further changes included the addition of a small [[Auxiliary power unit|APU]] to allow the gun to dig itself in and move short distances at up to {{convert|16|km/h|mph}}, as well as the addition of an advanced muzzle brake. The G5 became operational in 1983.<ref name=Janes1996_G5 />

Using the normal [[Rifling#Extended range, full bore|Extended Range, Full Bore]] (ERFB) ammunition the normal range is {{convert|30|km|mi}}, which can be extended to about {{convert|40|km|mi}} using [[base bleed]] shells, or {{convert|50|km|mi}} using rocket-assisted V-LAP rounds. In 2002 Denel produced the G5-2000 version, with much greater range and accuracy than the earlier 45-calibre version.

The G5 gun has been placed on an [[Land Systems OMC|OMC]] [[four wheel drive|6×6]] chassis to produce the fully self-propelled '''[[G6 howitzer]]''', and won major export sales in this form from the [[United Arab Emirates]] and [[Oman]]. In response to a request from India it has also been tested on the back of a TATRA 8×8 wheeled truck, a combination known as the '''T5-2000'''. It has also been fitted into a turret, named the T6, that can be placed on any suitable vehicle; it has been fitted on the [[T-72]] [[tank]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=LLC|first=Books|title=Modern Field Artillery: G5 Howitzer, G7 Howitzer, Type 60 122 Mm Field Gun, 152 Mm Field Gun-Howitzer M84 Nora-A|publisher=General Books LLC|year=2010|isbn=9781158580255|location=|pages=}}</ref>

==Operational history==
The G5 howitzer saw action in [[Angola]] and [[Namibia]] in the [[South African Border War]] between 1986 and 1989, where it was in service with the [[South African Defence Force]]. The G5 was used operationally for the first time during [[Operation Alpha Centauri]] in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|title=South Africa's Modern Long Tom|url=http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol091ig.html |website=The South African Military History Society|access-date=19 August 2017}}</ref> The G5 also saw action in the [[Iran–Iraq War]] between 1980 and 1988, where it was used by [[Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=John |date=1988-10-09 |title=S. Africa's 155-Millimeter Weapon Scores Top Marks From Experts |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-09-mn-5426-story.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Variants==
* '''G5 Mk I'''
* '''G5 Mk II'''
* '''G5 Mk III'''
* '''G5 Mk IIIA'''
* '''G5-2000''': 52-calibre gun

==Operators==
[[File:G5 operators.png|thumb|400px|Map with Denel G5 howitzer operators in blue and former operators in red]]

===Current operators===
* {{LBY}}: 6 (probably donated by the [[United Arab Emirates]] to the [[Libyan National Army]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2020/12/libya-lna-operating-south-african-made-g5-155-mm-howitzers |title = Libya: LNA operating South African-made G5 155 mm howitzers * Military Africa}}</ref>
* {{MAS}}: 28 in service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.singapore-window.org/sw00/001127ns.htm|title=Malaysia buys artillery guns, rocket system|website=www.singapore-window.org|access-date=2017-09-01|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924102030/http://www.singapore-window.org/sw00/001127ns.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MF"/>
* {{ZAF}}: 72 in service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fact file: G5 L45 towed gun-howitzer |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/resources/fact-files/fact-file-g5-l45-towed-gun-howitzer/?catid=79%3Afact-files&Itemid=159 |website=defenceWeb |access-date=13 August 2021 |language=en-ZA |date=20 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="MF">{{cite web|title=Denel G5 155mm – Development and Operational History, Performance Specifications and Picture Gallery|url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=410|website=Military Factory|access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref>

===Former operators===
[[File:G-5Rear.jpg|thumb|An ex-Iraqi G-5 on display at the US Army Field Artillery Museum, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.]]
* {{Flag|Iraq|1991}}: 100 G5s were operated, but these have probably all been destroyed or abandoned since the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref name="MF"/>
* {{QAT}}: 12<ref>[http://www.deagel.com/news/Qatar-Orders-24-PzH-2000-Self-Propelled-Howitzers-and-62-Leopard-2-A7-Main-Battle-Tanks_n000011422.aspx Qatar Orders 24 PzH 2000 Self-Propelled Howitzers and 62 Leopard 2 A7+ Main Battle Tanks] – Deagel.com, 18 April 2013</ref><ref name="MF"/>
* {{UAE}}: 6 (donated to Libya).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/g5-howitzers-spotted-in-libya/ |title = G5 howitzers seen in Libya - defenceWeb| date=December 2020 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[GC-45 howitzer]]
* [[Soltam M-71|G4 howitzer]]
* [[G6 howitzer]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070204061309/http://denel.co.za/Landsystems/LS_ArtillerySysG5.pdf Denel G5 brochure]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/g5-52.htm G5-52 155mm 45-calibre, towed gun howitzer]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026203829/http://www.geocities.com/sadf_association/topgun.html G5 is battle ready]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071226142215/http://armyreco.ifrance.com/afrique/afrique_du_sud/armes/obusier_canon_g5/g5_obusier_canon.htm G5 at armyreco.ifrance.com]

{{Denel}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:G5 Howitzer}}
[[Category:155 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Howitzers]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Field artillery of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Cold War artillery of South Africa]]
[[Category:Denel]]