105 mm Gun
The 105mm L118 Light Gun is a British-designed towed artillery piece developed during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was conceived by the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (RARDE) in response to the limitations of the L5 Pack Howitzer, which was originally an Italian design. The L5 lacked sufficient range and power, particularly in demanding environments. Work on the L118 began in 1965, and the gun was formally introduced into British Army service in 1976.
The gun was built by the Royal Ordnance Factory in Nottingham. Its design prioritizes mobility, versatility, and durability in all conditions, from arctic to desert climates. The L118 uses a split trail carriage with a circular firing platform that allows full 360-degree rotation. It has a 105mm caliber and fires separate-loading cased-charge ammunition. One of its defining characteristics is its relatively light weight, which enables it to be transported by medium-lift helicopters like the CH-47 Chinook or towed by light vehicles. This makes it ideal for airborne and rapid-deployment forces.
Over the years, the L118 has been adapted to fire a variety of shells. The standard shell is the L31A4 High-Explosive (HE), used for general-purpose bombardment. Other types include the L50 HE Improved shell, designed for greater lethality and safer handling; the L42 High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH) shell, intended for use against lightly armored targets or fortifications; the L43 Illuminating shell, used for night operations or signaling; and smoke shells like the L37 and L38 for obscuration and concealment. In 2005, the UK introduced new Insensitive Munitions (IM) variants to reduce the risk of accidental detonation and to increase overall safety in logistics and combat environments.
The L118 has seen extensive service in numerous military campaigns. It was heavily used during the 1982 Falklands War, where British artillery units deployed 30 guns. These were often used at their highest propellant charge levels in intense bombardments around Port Stanley. The gun’s reliability and firepower played a crucial role in British operations during that campaign. It was also used during Operation Granby in the 1990–1991 Gulf War, where it provided artillery support in the desert. British troops relied on it again during peacekeeping operations in the Bosnian War and later during the Sierra Leone intervention.
More recently, the L118 was deployed in both the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. In these campaigns, it provided mobile fire support in rugged terrain, often at high altitude. The gun’s light weight and robustness were key advantages. In the 2020s, the L118 has also appeared on the battlefields of Ukraine, where it has been supplied to Ukrainian forces amid the ongoing war with Russia. Due to difficulties in sourcing Soviet-standard ammunition, Ukraine has shifted to using NATO-standard calibers like 105mm. The L118 has proven valuable thanks to its adaptability and ease of use under battlefield stress.
Throughout its service life, the L118 has undergone upgrades to remain relevant. These include the integration of the Auto Pointing System (APS), a GPS-aided navigation and fire control system that replaced manual sighting equipment. The APS reduces deployment time and increases accuracy. Additionally, new generations of high-explosive shells have been introduced with enhanced fragmentation patterns and safer storage properties.
Despite the arrival of newer artillery systems in NATO arsenals, the L118 remains in active service due to its proven combat record and adaptability. Its combination of relatively low weight, ease of deployment, and capable firepower has ensured that it continues to be a valuable asset for the British Army and its allies. It represents a successful blend of engineering pragmatism and battlefield effectiveness, standing as one of the most respected artillery pieces in modern British military history.
