Camilla Jessen
WWII-era American howitzers return to the battlefield as Ukraine deploys M114s for the first time.
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Ukrainian troops have begun deploying American-made M114A1 155mm howitzers, marking the first verified use of these vintage artillery systems in the country’s defense against Russian forces.
As reported by Militarnyi on April 23, the appearance of the howitzers was confirmed through video footage shared by Ukrainian serviceman Dmytro MacKenzie, showing the weapons in action on the battlefield.
Originally developed by the United States in 1941, the M114 howitzer has seen combat in several major conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and the Iran-Iraq War. Despite being considered obsolete by modern military standards, the M114 remains capable of fulfilling indirect fire support roles.
Ukraine reportedly received these howitzers through military aid packages from Portugal and Greece. In 2022, Portugal delivered five units alongside armored vehicles, though their operational use had not been documented until now.
Greece also contributed to Ukraine’s artillery capabilities.
In a 2024 statement, the Greek Ministry of Defense suggested that a second shipment of M114A1 howitzers was included in its aid, part of a broader pledge involving around 70 units from national stockpiles—some coordinated through talks with Czech defense officials.
The M114A1 features a 23-caliber barrel and can reach targets up to 14,600 meters away. While this range falls short compared to modern 155mm systems, it aligns with the capabilities of lighter, more mobile 105mm artillery platforms.
Though these howitzers are no longer in service in donor countries and are classified as surplus, their reactivation highlights the international community’s continued efforts to provide Ukraine with all available military resources—regardless of age—amid ongoing high demand for artillery systems.