Ho, Feb 3, GNA – The 66 Artillery Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces in Ho has taken delivery of six new artillery guns to support its operations.
The new weapons, 105mm (M-56) Howitzer saluting guns, are Serbian-made guns, designed to perform both ceremonial and combat roles, and weigh 2100kg.
The gun is operated by a seven-man crew and can fire between six to eight rounds of ammunition within a minute when used for combat roles it can fire three types of ammunition- M1, Rocket Hybrid and BB Projectiles.
The gun can engage targets up to 30 kilometres depending on the type of ammunition being fired.
Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, Chief of the Army Staff, commended the government for committing resources to acquire new weapons to equip the army.
He gave the commendation in an address read on his behalf by Major General Michael Amoah Ayisi, General Officer Commanding, Southern Command, during the commissioning of the weapons at the Ho Barracks.
He disclosed that the Regiment over the years had relied on 25mm pounder saluting guns manufactured in 1940 during the World War II era and they no longer functioned effectively as expected.
Maj. Gen. Oppong-Peprah said the 66 Artillery Regiment apart from performing its core role of providing fire support to the Ghana Army, undertook Ceremonial Gun Salute duties as well.
He said in recent times the 25mm pounders have encountered a lot of stoppages and missed-fired rounds during gun salutes, leading to noticeable breaks in the firing intervals.
He said this had necessitated the decision to replace the 25mm pounder guns with the new ones, revealing that the new guns were test fired on January 27, 2023, and all proved to be effective for the intended role.
Lieutenant Colonel, Edward Sarpong Appiah, Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment, described the commissioning as a milestone in the history of the Regiment. He said the guns would help enhance their roles as the only regiment charged with the responsibility to perform ceremonial gun salute duties of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The Commanding Officer said the entire fraternity of the Regiment was happy for taking delivery of the weapons and assured that his outfit would ensure proper maintenance of the guns so they could always perform their duties.
Lt. Col. Appiah thanked the government and the High Military Command for their continuous support of the Regiment.
GNA