155 K 83

History

The development process for the 155 K 83 began in 1960 when Tampella presented their concept of a new 122 mm gun for the Finnish Army. It was a sound concept, but quite a heavy gun. It was only ordered in small numbers and designated 122 K 60 in Finnish nomenclature. In order to take advantage of the design, a decision was made to further develop this into a 155 mm gun. Through a number of development stages the 155 K 83 was born.

Tampella cooperated with the Israeli group Soltam. The Tampella drawings for the never realized Finnish 122mm 35 K 68 were used to develop the Israeli Soltam M-68, which, after improvements, became the Soltam M-71 (designated the G4 in South Africa). Tampella went on to design and prototype successive models (155): K 68, K 74, K 74–82, K 74–83. The last with a barrel length of 39 calibers (L39) was accepted as the 155 K 83 and placed into production with a run of 113 units.

During the 1990s, certain types of NATO ammunition evolved including some newer specialized charges which required some changes grinding the shape of the firing chamber, and this along with some small improvements to the firing mechanism could be added to the existing gun. This resulted in an upgraded version, called the 155 K 83-97, capable of firing the latest NATO ammunition. (Unmodified guns can still fire the basic rounds.) Some of the 113 guns have been modernized to: 155 K 83-97 standard.

Replacement

The gun design was further modified in the late 1990s, resulting in an entirely new weapon. The new gun, called 155 GH 52 APU (or 155 K 98 in Finnish Army service), is heavier, has a longer 52 calibers barrel (L52) and an auxiliary power unit, enabling it to move by its own power. The chamber was also changed to support modern NATO-standard charge bags.

Operators

• • 113 units

References

References

1. Toivonen, Vesa. (2003). "Tampellasta Patriaan: 70 vuotta suomalaista raskasta aseenvalmistusta - From Tampella to Patria: 70 years of Finnish heavy weapons production". Apali Oy.
2. (2007). "Artillery: an illustrated history of ... - Google Books".