BAE Systems L119

History

The BAE Systems L119 is a lightweight 105 mm towed howitzer designed for mobile artillery fire support. Ukraine operates L119 guns supplied by the United Kingdom as military aid, while the related American version is designated M119.

In July 2026, BAE Systems signed a licensing agreement with a Ukrainian strategic defense partner for domestic manufacture of the L119. The agreement provides technical data and engineering support for production of an initial gun for testing and also supports development of an L119 variant adapted to Ukrainian operational requirements. The Ukrainian Armed Forces were reported to operate around 36 donated L119 guns at the time of the agreement, according to The Defense Post.

By September 2026, the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant stated that it had received the manufacturing license and was awaiting a Ukrainian Ministry of Defence decision on further procurement. The plant had produced its first L119 gun barrels in 2026, while full local gun production remained dependent on subsequent program decisions.

Ukrainian production program

The licensing arrangement is intended to establish local manufacturing and maintenance capability for the L119 in Ukraine. BAE Systems is providing technical information and engineering support, while Ukrainian production processes are to be validated before broader integration and production. The initial locally manufactured gun is planned for testing rather than being described as an operational production weapon.

Ukrainian industry emphasizes the L119's low mass as an important characteristic for dispersed artillery operations. The source material states that the weapon weighs about 1.9 tonnes and can be moved by light armored vehicles, pickup trucks, helicopter external loads, and potentially unmanned ground vehicles.

Design

The L119 is a manually loaded, lightweight towed artillery system chambered for 105 mm ammunition. Its low mass permits transportation by comparatively light vehicles and allows helicopter carriage when required.

The howitzer is intended for fire support against personnel, lightly armored vehicles, and field fortifications. The source material states that it is compatible with standard NATO 105 mm ammunition and can also use extended-range rocket-assisted projectiles.

Maximum firing range depends on ammunition type. The supplied material gives a range from approximately 11,500 m to 19,000 m. A separate 2026 report described the weapon as having a range of almost 17 km, illustrating that quoted range figures depend on the projectile being discussed. Sweden Herald also reported that the gun can be transported by vehicle or helicopter.

Program status

Ukraine already operates British-supplied L119 howitzers and the related American M119 version. The Ukrainian source describes these 105 mm systems as replacing worn Soviet 122 mm D-30 guns in some roles and states that they are used for fire support within brigade artillery groups.

The domestic production program remained under development in 2026. The Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant had obtained a manufacturing license and produced initial barrels, but further procurement and broader production depended on decisions by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

Variants

• L119: British 105 mm lightweight towed howitzer and the primary subject of this article.
• M119: American version of the L119 family. The source states that Ukrainian forces operate M119 guns alongside British L119 systems.
• Ukrainian-tailored L119 variant: A variant under development through the 2026 BAE Systems licensing arrangement, intended to reflect the operational requirements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was not described as operational in the supplied material.

Operators

• Ukraine: Operates L119 howitzers donated by the United Kingdom. A July 2026 report stated that approximately 36 L119 guns were in Ukrainian service.

Specifications (L119)

General characteristics

• Type: Lightweight towed howitzer
• Caliber: 105 mm
• Weight: Approximately 1.9 tonnes
• Loading: Manual
• Transport: Towed by light vehicles and suitable for helicopter external carriage

Performance

• Maximum firing range: Approximately 11.5-19 km depending on ammunition type

Armament

• Main weapon: 105 mm howitzer
• Ammunition: Standard NATO 105 mm ammunition and supported extended-range rocket-assisted projectiles