Profile
- Type
- 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer
- Conflict side
- Ukraine
- Origin
- United States
- Service note
- Modern NATO artillery
Artillery
M109A6 Paladin
The M109A6 Paladin is a U.S. 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer that added onboard navigation, automatic fire-control, digital communications, and improved crew protection to the M109 family. In Ukraine, the Paladin represents a U.S.-supplied NATO-standard artillery system for mobile indirect fire, paired in the 2023 aid package with ammunition support vehicles for sustained gun-line operations.
- Conflict side
- Ukraine
- Built in
- United States
Service History
- In service
- Entered U.S. service in the mid-1990s; supplied to Ukraine in 2023
- Used by
- Ukrainian Armed Forces, U.S. Army
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan
Production History
- Designer
- United Defense
- Designed
- 1980s modernization program
- Built in
- United States
- Produced
- 1990s M109A6 production and rebuild program
- Variants
- M109A6 Paladin, M109A7 Paladin
- Developed from
- M109 family of 155 mm self-propelled howitzers
Specifications
- Crew
- 4
- Caliber
- 155 mm M284 cannon on M182A1 mount
- Range
- Up to about 30 km with rocket-assisted projectiles
- Rate of fire
- Up to 4 rounds per minute
- Combat weight
- About 62,000 lb / 32 tons
- Mobility
- Tracked chassis; about 35 mph maximum road speed and 186 mile cruising range
- Protection
- Kevlar-lined chassis, pressurized crew compartment, NBC protection, and secure voice/digital communications
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Ukraine
The United States committed 18 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and ammunition support vehicles in its January 6, 2023 Ukraine package; reporting identified them as M109A6 Paladins and documented delivery to Ukraine's 118th Mechanized Brigade.
M109A6 Paladin Images
Related Weapon Systems
AHS Krab155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzerThe AHS Krab is a Polish 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer built by Huta Stalowa Wola around a NATO-standard 52-caliber gun, an armored tracked chassis, and modern fire-control equipment. In Ukrainian service it gives artillery units a mobile Western-caliber gun able to fire standard 155 mm ammunition, displace after missions, and operate in counter-battery-threatened sectors of the Russia-Ukraine War.
AS-90155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzerThe AS-90 is a British tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer built for armored, mobile indirect fire support. In the Russia-Ukraine War it represents a UK-donated NATO-caliber artillery system for Ukrainian forces, combining a protected tracked chassis, 155 mm ammunition compatibility, rapid burst fire, and a conventional range of about 24.7 km.
FH70155 mm towed howitzerThe FH70 is a jointly developed British-West German-Italian 155 mm L/39 towed howitzer with an auxiliary power unit for limited self-movement. In Ukrainian service it added another NATO-standard tube-artillery option alongside M777 and CAESAR systems, giving Ukrainian artillery units a 155 mm platform documented at the front from 2022.
M270 MLRSTracked multiple launch rocket systemThe M270 MLRS is a tracked, armored multiple launch rocket system built around two launch-pod containers for guided rockets or tactical missiles. In Ukrainian service during the Russia-Ukraine War, donated M270-family launchers complement HIMARS by carrying a larger rocket load on a heavier tracked chassis for long-range precision fires.
PzH 2000155 mm self-propelled howitzerA heavily automated tracked howitzer with high rates of fire and long-range capability. Ukraine received it from European partners for precision and high-volume artillery work.
Challenger 2Main battle tankThe Challenger 2 is a British third-generation main battle tank built around a rifled 120 mm gun, heavy composite armor, and four-person crew operations. In the Russia-Ukraine War, the United Kingdom supplied a small squadron to Ukraine as one of the first Western main battle tank transfers of the full-scale invasion.Sources
Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine - January 6, 2023Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Direct Russia-Ukraine War transfer source for U.S. 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and ammunition support vehicles committed to Ukraine in January 2023. | Accessed: 2026-06-19US Delivers M109A6 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers to Ukraine's 118th Mechanized BrigadePublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Direct Russia-Ukraine War use and delivery source identifying the U.S.-supplied system as M109A6 Paladin in Ukrainian service with the 118th Mechanized Brigade. | Accessed: 2026-06-19M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled HowitzerPublisher: Federation of American Scientists | Note: Supports M109A6 background, crew, weight, mobility, range, rate of fire, fire-control, and protection details. | Accessed: 2026-06-19M109A7Publisher: BAE Systems | Note: Supports current BAE Systems M109 family background and the M109A7 follow-on variant context. | Accessed: 2026-06-19M109A6 Paladin Blast in 2007Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain U.S. military work licensing for the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-19