CITER 155 mm L33 gun

The 155mm L33 Argentine Model gun (Argentine Army denomination: Cañón 155 mm L 33 Modelo Argentino) is an Argentine artillery field gun in service with the Argentine Army.

Cañón 155 mm L 33 Modelo Argentino
Type	Field gun
Place of origin	Argentina
Service history
Used by	Argentine Army, Croatian Army
Wars	Falklands War, Yugoslav Wars, Croatian War of Independence
Production history
Designer	CITEFA
Manufacturer	DGFM
Specifications
Mass	8,200 kg (18,100 lb)
Barrel length	5.15 m (16 ft 11 in) L/33
Caliber	155 mm (6.1 in)
Breech	Interrupted screw
Carriage	Split trail
Elevation	-10° to +67°
Traverse	70°
Muzzle velocity	765 m/s (2,510 ft/s)
Effective firing range	20 km (12 mi)
Maximum firing range	24 km (15 mi) (with special ammunition)

Development

Developed in late 1970s by CITEFA as obus 155 mm L33 X1415 CITEFA Modelo 77 in order to replace the World War II era M114 155 mm howitzer still in service in the Argentine Army.^{[citation needed]} The ordnance is based on the gun carried by the French Mk F3 155mm self-propelled gun, also in service with the Argentine Army.^[1]

Also designed by CITEFA is a slightly improved version named "Modelo 81".^[1]

Service

The CITEFA Cañón 155 mm L33 Modelo 77 was deployed by Argentine forces during the 1982 Falklands War, flown to East Falkland by Argentine Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft to augment long-range firepower. ^[2]

They were used in conventional field artillery roles, including indirect fire, counter-battery and harassing fire, contributing to Argentine defensive efforts around Port Stanley. British post war studies record that Argentine heavy artillery, including the 155 mm guns, produced sustained fire that required suppression by Royal Navy naval gunfire, RAF strikes and intensive British counter-battery work. ^[3][2] Land-based artillery, including the 155 mm weapons, fired on small Royal Navy craft in the approaches to Port Stanley, but attempts on major Royal Navy vessels was ineffective. ^[3]

Siting in Port Stanley

Photographic evidence and eyewitness reports indicate that at least one 155 mm was sited within Port Stanley’s residential district. ^[4][3]

Capture

British forces four guns at the end of the campaign. Official UK records catalogue captured Argentine equipment in Foreign and Commonwealth Office files, notably FCO 7/4381, and parliamentary material from 1982 to 1985 confirms that captured kit was examined, retained where useful, or otherwise disposed of. At least one gun was brought to the United Kingdom for display, and is preserved at the Muckleburgh Military Collection in Weybourne, Norfolk. ^[5][6][4]

Operators

Map with L33 operators in blue

Current operators

•  Argentina: Argentine Army – 109^[1]
•  Croatia: Croatian Army – 12^[1]-18

See also

• Cañón 155 mm L 45 CALA 30