155 GH 52 APU

155 GH 52 APU
155 K 98
TypeGun-howitzer
Place of originFinland
Service history
In service1998–
Used byFinnish Army
Egyptian Army
Production history
DesignerPatria
ManufacturerPatria
Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries (licensed production)
Unit cost500,000 €[1]
Produced1998–2005[2]
No. built73+
Variants155 GH 52
155 GH 52 APU
155 K 98
155GH52-SP-T55
Specifications (155 K 98)
Mass13,500 kg (29,800 lb) (without equipment)[2]
14,580 kg (32,140 lb) (fully equipped)[3]
Barrel length8,060 mm (317 in) L/52
Crew1+7[3]

Shell155 mm NATO, separate caseless charge bags
Shell weight43 kg (95 lb) to
47 kg (104 lb)[4]
Caliber155 millimetres (6.1 in)
BreechHorizontal semi-automatic sliding block
RecoilHydro-pneumatic
CarriageSplit trail, sole plate, auxiliary power unit and hydraulics
Elevation−5° to +70°[2]
Traverse±35° from centreline[2]
Rate of fire6–10 rounds/min[3]
3 rounds in 12 seconds[2]
Muzzle velocityover 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s)[4]
Effective firing range28 kilometres (17 mi) (standard ammunition)[3]
40 kilometres (25 mi) (base bleed ammunition)[3]
Maximum firing range41 kilometres (25 mi)[2]
SightsOptical panoramic periscopic dial sight
Telescopic direct fire sight

EngineDeutz
78 kW (105 bhp)
Maximum speed 15 km/h (9.3 mph)[3]
8 km/h (5.0 mph) (terrain)[2]

The 155 GH 52 APU (which stands for 155 mm gun-howitzer, 52 calibers, auxiliary power unit), Finnish designation 155 K 98 (155 mm kenttäkanuuna 1998 or "155 mm field gun 1998"; FDF terminology does not recognise gun-howitzers), is a Finnish towed artillery piece developed in 1998. It is largely based on the 155 K 83 with some major enhancements. It can be moved on the field short distances with its own auxiliary diesel engine, which is used in all 56 units used by the Finnish defence forces, is a 78-kilowatt Deutz diesel engine. The Egyptian units are not equipped with the APU.

The 155 GH 52 is considered to be one of the most modern field artillery cannons to date and was originally manufactured by Oy Tampella AB industries (today a part of Patria, Patria Vammas Systems Oy). It has a high rate of fire (6 rounds per minute) and can fire all types of 155 mm ammunition.

  1. ^ "Patrian kanuunoissa vakavia ongelmia" (in Finnish). Yle. 30 October 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Toivonen, Vesa (2003). Tampellasta Patriaan: 70 vuotta suomalaista raskasta aseenvalmistusta – From Tampella to Patria: 70 years of Finnish heavy weapons production. Apali Oy. ISBN 952-5026-26-4.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Finnish Defence Forces equipment display: 155 K 98, at Rakuunamäki, Lappeenranta on Finnish Defence Forces Flag Day 4 June 2014.
  4. ^ a b "155K98" (in Finnish). Finnish Army. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2020.