DTI and Royal Thai Army Test and Evaluate CS/AH2 105mm Curved Trajectory Light Howitzer Prototype

06 September 2024

Thailand's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) and Royal Thai Army (RTA) were testing and evaluating two prototypes of 105mm light howitzer CS/AH2 at RTA Artillery Center's firing range Khao Phulon, Lopburi Province, Thailand, on 27-30 August 2024 (photos: DTI Thailand) 

Two prototypes of 105mm CS/AH2 curved-trajectory light howitzers, a joint research and development project between the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) and the Royal Thai Army Artillery Center (RTA) it has undergone testing and evaluation, including firing tests at a maximum range of 11.4km with 105mm High Explosive rounds (both Chinese-supplied and Thai-made rounds) at the Artillery Shooting Range, Artillery Center, Lopburi Province, from 27-30 August 2024. DTI posted on its official Facebook account on 31 August 2024.

It follows the delivery of two 105mm CS/AH2 prototypes to the Artillery Battalion, Artillery Training Center after passing firing tests and firing demonstrations in 2023.

DTI Thailand announced a contract with POLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., People's Republic of China for the Joint Research and Development Project to Build a Prototype of the 105mm CS/AH2 Light Artillery Howitzer, Phase 1, worth 48,000,000 baht ($1,439,712) in September 2021.

Later, DTI Thailand and the Royal Thai Army Artillery Center signed a memorandum of understanding on March 15, 2023, leading to the creation of a prototype delivered to a test unit for firing demonstration and testing and evaluation.

The CS/AH2 is a light howitzer developed for export by POLY DEFENSE, a defense industry state enterprise of the People's Republic of China, which is similar to the BAE Systems M119 (L119) curved-trajectory howitzer, which was assembled in Thailand in a total of 22 guns and entered service with the Royal Thai Army since 2006.

The prototype of the CS/AH2 105mm light cannon with curved trajectory was also found to have a display installed on the gun, similar to the 12 NEXTER LG1 Mk III 105mm towed light cannon that entered service in 2023.

This suggests that the CS/AH2 105mm light artillery gun is likely to feature a digital fire control system, satellite positioning system, a temperature measurement system for ejection tubes, wind flow, and a linkage with a Forward Observation Officer (FOO), all of which share a standard 105mm artillery shell (although the CS/AH2 prototype was tested and recommended using Chinese-made shells).

It is understood that the Royal Thai Army still has a need for new 105mm light howitzers to replace a large number of old and outdated systems, such as the 12 M425 wheeled self-propelled howitzers and 32 M618A2 towed howitzers made in Thailand.

(AAG)

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