CITER 155 mm L33 gun

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Cañón 155 mm L 33 Modelo Argentino
TypeField gun
Place of originArgentina
Service history
Used byArgentine Army, Croatian Army
WarsFalklands War, Yugoslav Wars, Croatian War of Independence
Production history
DesignerCITEFA
ManufacturerDGFM
Specifications
Mass8,200 kg (18,100 lb)
Barrel length5.15 m (16 ft 11 in) L/33
Caliber155 mm (6.1 in)
BreechInterrupted screw
CarriageSplit trail
Elevation-10° to +67°
Traverse70°
Muzzle velocity765 m/s (2,510 ft/s)
Effective firing range20 km (12 mi)
Maximum firing range24 km (15 mi) (with special ammunition)

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.

Development

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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

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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

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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

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Map with L33 operators in blue

Current operators

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Foss, Christopher F. (21 February 2002). "155 mm howitzer L33 X1415 CITEFA Models 77 and 81". Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002–2003.
  2. ^ a b "Argentine Forces in the Falklands". Osprey Publishing. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Under Fire: The Falklands War and the Revival of Naval Gunfire Support" (PDF). University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Argentinian Field Gun 155mm CITEFA Model 77". Geograph. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Argentine equipment captured in the Falkland Islands (FCO 7/4381)". The National Archives. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Falklands Campaign (Argentine Weapons And Equipment)". Hansard. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

Bibliography

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  • Foss, Christopher F. (July 2004). Jane's Armour & Artillery, 2004–2005 (25th ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2616-9.
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