Artillery: July 23, 2002

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Germany has received the last of 185 PzH-70 self-propelled howitzers on order. These will form seven battalions, each with 24 guns. The German Army will also have four battalions with upgraded M109A3G howitzers, three with MLRS rocket launchers, and three target acquisition battalions. All of the 105mm towed howitzers and the FH70 towed 155mm howitzers will be retired, as will the 110mm Light Artillery Rocket System. Plans to convert 333 old Leopard tanks into artillery observation vehicles have been dropped; instead, new Fennek 4x4 armored cars will be purchased for this mission.--Stephen V Cole