One of the longest - range guns in the world-the South African 155-mm G-5-is seen in Libya. It was used during a recent exercise by field Marshal Khalifa Haftar's unit.
Towed artillery - 122mm D-30, 130mm M-46 and one ginormous one I can't ID (152 mm 2A65 Msta-B?)
— Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) November 15, 2020
This gun-howitzer developed in the first half of the 80's has a number of interesting features. It is equipped with a two-axle chassis and is equipped with a 77 HP engine. As a result, it became possible to move independently on the battlefield at a speed of up to 16 km/h without the help of a towing vehicle. This is very important when the threat of a retaliatory strike requires an urgent change of position.
However, its main advantage is the ability to hit targets at considerable distances. If the American M198 hits 22,400 meters with conventional shells and 30,000 with upgraded ones, then the "five" hits 30,000 and 39,000 meters, respectively.
Currently, a new generation of ammunition has been created that destroys enemy objects at distances of fifty kilometers. It was also reported that last year during the experimental shooting managed to overcome 76,000 meters. Of course, according to military experts, such sophisticated ammunition is unlikely to be delivered to Libya. But even with the old weapons of destruction, the guns are a formidable force.
The G-5 is not without its drawbacks. This is, first of all, a significant mass - 13750 kg, as well as large dimensions, complexity in operation, requiring good preparation of the calculation. This is probably why the manufacturing country (South Africa) now operates less than a dozen of these howitzers-guns, and the rest are in storage.
Alexey Brusilov