105mm M2A2 HOWITZER

Australia Day 2025 saw 9th Regiment RAA, conduct gun salutes in Sydney ( photo above) and Melbourne (left photo below). The photo on the right below shows the 4th Regiment , RAA conducting the salute in Townsville.

Gun salutes are part of military ceremonies since the early fourteenth century as a means of honouring guests or commemoration of special events. Australian gun salutes have normally been fired with the in-service field gun but the advent of 155mm guns as the only artillery pieces in the Army have led to the use of the specially maintained M2A2 105 mm Howitzers. The photos show these guns being used on Australia Day 2025 and during the Bombing of Dawin Commemoration 2025.

History of the M2A2

After World War I, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department studied various captured German 105 mm-caliber howitzers and developed the 105 mm Howitzer M1920 by using the Carriage M1920. Design commenced in 1920 but it was not until a host of modifiacations led to large scale production in 1940.

In 1953, the new howitzer M2A2 was standardized to further increase the life of the howitzer at the cost of some muzzle velocity. The M2A2's barrel had a higher strength breech ring, deeper rifling grooves, and shallower rifling taper than the M2A1's barrel, resulting in a 50 percent more effective full charge barrel life than the M2A1.Read more by CLICKING HERE

The official Australian nomentclature was Howitzer Light Towed 105mm (AUS) No1 comprising Howitzer 105mm M2A2 or M@A1 on Carriage M2A2.

The M2A2 fires 105 mm high explosive (HE) semi-fixed ammunition and has a range of 12,330 yards (11,270 m), making it suitable for supporting infantry.

The M2A2 howitzer was introduced into Australian service in 1959 and served in both Regular and Reserve artillery units. In 1967 the M2A2s replaced the the 105mm L5 howitzers in the South Vietnamese War. The M2A2 was withdrawn from regular artillery units in 1988, when it was replaced by the 105 mm L118 and L119, which in turn were replaced by the M777A2 in 2014. The M2A2 remained in service with the Australian Army Reserve until its replacement by 81-millimetre mortars in the late 2000s. As can be seen by the gun salute photos at the beginning of this article, guns have been retained for ceremonial use.



M2A2s did sterling service in Vietnam as represented by the photos below.

Above :

Bravo gun (left) and Foxtrot gun (right) damaged at FSPB Coral South Vietnam 1968.

Harbour Trust volunteers elevate historically significant cannon with handcrafted carriage

Above: The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust’s (SHFT) Heritage Restoration Volunteers have brought history back to life, creating a detailed replica wooden carriage for a historic 6 Lb Smoothbore (SB) Bronze Cannon, manufactured c.1795.

The 16 working month project was undertaken by 12 passionate volunteers, operating out of a workshop at North Head Sanctuary, Manly. Using traditional 18th-century techniques, the multi-skilled team handcrafted every detail of the replica wooden carriage – down to the bolts, studs and nuts – to ensure historical accuracy. The RAAHC was involved through members Kevin Browning and Peter Lawrence.

This cannon is a significant part of Australia’s military history, being one of the first 4 field guns brought to the colony of New South Wales. Arriving before 1800, it joined 2 earlier guns from HMS Sirius in strengthening the colony’s defences. Originally salvaged by a member of the public in the 1970s, the cannon barrel was later acquired by the Australian War Memorial. The reproduction of a wooden carriage, completed in collaboration with the Australian War Memorial, speaks to the invaluable role the skilled volunteers play in conserving Sydney’s military heritage.

‘We are pleased to work in partnership with the Australia War Memorial on this project. Collaborative restoration projects led by our restoration volunteers are also helping revitalise the North Head Sanctuary and make its rich military history accessible to our visitors. As we realise the site’s master plan we aim to continue to work in partnership with the Australian War Memorial’, said Harbour Trust Executive Director, Janet Carding.

To view a video on the restoration CLICK HERE

Thanks to the expertise and craftsmanship of the SHFT volunteers, this significant piece of history is now preserved for future generations. Learn more about our volunteer program https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/about-us/volunteers/

Below:

The volunteers with Major General (Retd) Brian Dawson, Assistant Director, Branch Head National Collection, AWM and Harbour Trust Executive Director Janet Carding.

Local Production of guided missiles

Australia is set to begin manufacturing guided missiles domestically from 2025, following the signing of key memoranda of understanding (MOU) with the United States to enhance defence cooperation and local production capabilities.

The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Co-Assembly agreement will enable the assembly of an initial batch of these critical munitions in Australia next year. This marks a significant milestone towards the co-production of GMLRS in Australia for both national use and global supply.

Additionally, the 155mm ammunition co-production MOU will facilitate the transfer of United States intellectual property and align production standards for 155mm artillery ammunition. This agreement strengthens cooperation between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States Army and Marine Corps, enhancing interoperability and supply chain resilience.

The initiative was reaffirmed at the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations 2023, where the United States expressed strong support for Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.

This initiative aims to produce viable quantities of GMLRS, establish an Australian solid rocket motor manufacturing capability, and further develop sovereign guided weapons production.

“This is an important step towards establishing domestic guided weapons manufacturing in Australia. It will complement the acquisition of long-range precision-strike capabilities and strengthen the ADF’s ability to protect Australia and its interests,” Minister Conroy added.

The United States also acknowledged that Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise provides a pathway for the co-development, co-production and co-sustainment of critical long-range strike capabilities, supporting supply chains for both nations.

These projects form part of the Albanese government’s broader strategy to accelerate Australia’s long-range strike capabilities, in alignment with the 2024 National Defence Strategy. The initiative is backed by tens of billions of dollars, including a $16–21 billion investment to establish the GWEO Enterprise and sovereign munitions manufacturing capabilities in Australia.



Source: Defence Connect