KNDS, the French-German maker of the Leopard tank, has introduced a new howitzer with a barrel longer than any NATO production artillery. The 155mm howitzer, named Loras, is equipped with a 58 caliber gun tube and can fire standard high-explosive shells up to 60 kilometers.
The company has already fired a prototype of the gun and aims for serial production between 2032 and 2035. The Loras gun will be able to take between one and eight modular propellant charges and can fire standard 52 caliber shells.
KNDS is self-funding development of the howitzer and the associated munitions, with some help from France’s Directorate General for Armament in early-stage studies. The company plans to focus on basic munitions and cooperate with partners who want to develop more advanced shells.
