M109A6 Paladins: The 'Game-Changer' American Artillery Hitting Russia Hard in Ukraine

M109A6 Paladins, the self-propelled howitzers donated to Ukraine by the United States, have played a major role in the country’s southern counteroffensive which has seen it liberate the strategically important village of Robotyne.

The Paladin requires four operators – a section commander, driver, gunner, and ammunition handler – and has been in operation in its A6 form since 1994. So far this year, the U.S. has donated 18 of the vehicles, while Italy, Latvia, Norway, and the United Kingdom have agreed private purchase arrangements with Ukraine.

In an interview with Ukrainian media outlet United24, the 47th Mechanized Brigade said they had been using the Paladin to fire standard 155mm howitzer shells at targets within 10km, despite a range of up to 24 km.