Field howitzer 155 mm FH 155-1
Feldhaubitze 155 mm FH155-1

The field howitzer 155-1, a German British Italian co-production, could fire twelve 155-millimeter shells per minute can fire 30 kilometers. A separate engine moves the gun without a tractor over short distances from position to position.

In 1963, a first step towards the standardization of artillery ammunition for the 1970s was done. It laid down a main calibre 155 mm for tube artillery of the NATO States. With thise achieved, all the 155 mm ammunition from all in the NATO could be fired from guns of this calibre. Although NATO agreed on the ammo and ballistics, they failed to agree on r a uniform tube weapon. There were different tactical requirements for different NATO partners.

In the German army and the British army, the need to replace the old guns increased, because they no longer meet the threat situation. This affected all factors, such as distance, rate of fire, and effect on the target. In 1968 Germany and the United Kingdom agreed on the joint development of a new gun drawn and the appropriate ammunition. in 1970, Italy joined this project. In 1975 the first troop trial in Bergen-Hohne succeeded by then with the participation of all three Nations involved in the project.

Each of the participating countries contributed a part of the main components. Germany was responsible for the full tube, the charging cradle, the auxiliary drive and the target. The United Kingdom was responsible for the upper and lower gun carriage. Italy was responsible for the tube cradle and height levelling line. Final Assembly took place in all three countries.

By 1985 the reorganization in accordance with Army Structure 4 had in essence been completed. The artillery was subject to changes, with the planned introduction of the medium-range rocket launcher system (MLRS) causing a shift of conventional artillery from the corps to the divisions. This was particularly true of the self-propelled carriage M-110 A2 (203mm). Divisional artillery consisted of 1 artillery battalion (2 batteries with FH—70 155mm, 2 batteries of M-110 A2, 203mm), 1 multiple rocket launcher battalion (2 batteries of MARS, 2 batteries of LARS), as well as 1 observation battalion. Corps artillery consisted of 2 heavy artillery battalions M-110 A2 (203mm) and a Lance missile artillery battalion, while divisional artillery regiments comprised 1 artillery battalion with 3 batteries of FH—70 (FH 155-1, 155mm) and 1 battery of M—110 A2 (203mm), 1 missile artillery battalion with 2 batteries (total of 16 launchers 110 SF), and 1 observation battalion).

The Federal Government ensured that the Saudi army received advanced artillery. The most important parts - Pipe, target and drive - produce companies. Price per piece: 1.5 million mark. Der Spiegel reported in 1981 that the Federal Security Council approved the export of the PZH 155-1, once it wentinto series production in 1985. If Saudi Arabia showed interest, the Federal Government could hardly reject, after Germany no long, in principle, denied the approval of delivery of weapons of war ton Saudi Arabia. The chassis of the self-propelled howitzer comes from the "Leopard 1", the motor of the "Leopard 2", parts of the transmission by the armored personnel carrier "Wolverine" - all weapons that the Bonn had refused to the Saudis.

Engine performance (auxiliary drive): 49 KW (65 HP) Weight: approx. 9,6t Group of cannons: 7 Armament: Combat distance: to 24,700 m Cadence: 6 round(s)/min.