Why a Western defense giant is helping Ukraine build its own version of a battle-tested British artillery gun
BAE Systems is helping Ukraine make its own Light Gun variant. It needs "sovereign capability as opposed to equipment supply," the company said.
British defense contractor BAE Systems is collaborating with a Ukrainian partner to develop a locally customized version of the L119 Light Gun, a battle-tested artillery gun used by Ukrainian forces in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The agreement, signed this past summer, paves the way for Ukraine to manufacture the gun domestically, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and improving its weapons production capabilities.
According to Giles Ambrose, BAE Systems' engineering, technology, and strategy director, the L119 Light Gun is one of the world's most battle-tested artillery capabilities, praised by the US Army for its versatility. Ambrose stated that Ukraine needs the ability to produce its own weapons, emphasizing the country's goal of achieving sovereign capability and reducing vulnerability to changing political priorities of allies.
The L119, which has been in use by Ukraine since 2022, is a towed howitzer that delivers sustained fire against enemy positions. The Ukrainian variant will be manufactured to Ukrainian standards, leveraging BAE Systems' engineering expertise and technical specifications to ensure the same performance as the existing version.
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