Malaysia receives first batch of Nexter 105 mm LG1 light towed artillery systems

Malaysia has taken delivery of the first six of 18 105 mm LG1 light towed artillery systems ordered in 2018 from French defence company Nexter.

The air-portable guns, which were delivered in kit form in early February to Nexter’s Malaysian partner, Advanced Defence Systems (ADS), are currently being assembled in the southern state of Johor ahead of delivery to the Malaysian Army, a defence official told Jane’s on 9 March.

Malaysia has received the first six of 18 105 mm LG1 artillery systems ordered for the Malaysian Army in April 2018. The gun was showcased at the DSA 2018 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. (Janes / Jayesh Dhingra)

All 18 artillery pieces were originally expected to be handed over to ADS by February 2020, but deliveries were delayed, as the Malaysian government that took over following the May 2018 general election ordered a review of defence contracts signed by the previous administration.

As a result, the contract for the LG1 howitzers was re-approved earlier this year following the review, with the remaining 12 guns now expected to be delivered to ADS in two batches later this year.

The LG1 howitzers will be operated by the Malaysian Army's 1st Royal Artillery Regiment, which currently fields Oto Melara Model 56 105 mm pack howitzers. Six other artillery regiments are also equipped with these Oto Melara guns, of which about 100 units are estimated to be in service.

The contract for the guns was signed on 18 April 2018 at the Defence Services Asia exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.