Editing G5 howitzer (section)

==Production history==
During the [[South African Border War|Angolan Bush War]], the [[South African Defence Force]] found itself at a disadvantage when facing opponents equipped with long-range Soviet [[Katyusha rocket launcher]]s, which outranged South Africa's World War II-era [[BL 5.5-inch Medium Gun|5.5-inch (140 mm) howitzers]] by a considerable margin.<ref>''The Encyclopedia of World Military Weapons 1988''. {{ISBN|0-517-65341-9}}</ref> This led to the issue of a staff requirement for a new artillery system as well as ammunition systems, gun tractor, fire control equipment and a fire control computer system.<ref name=Janes1996_G5>{{cite book|title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 1996–97|year=1996|publisher=Janes Information Group|page=697 |isbn=9780710613745}}</ref>

From 1963, South Africa had been placed under a United Nations sponsored anti-[[apartheid]] arms embargo that led to the creation of the indigenous [[Armscor (South Africa)|Armscor]] military-industrial company to circumvent the arms embargo and to produce weapons systems uniquely tailored to South Africa's needs. Armscor responded to the staff requirement and commenced development in 1976. A number of existing designs were evaluated and examples procured in contravention of the arms embargo. As an interim weapon system to act as a stop-gap during the indigenous production process, a number of [[Soltam M-71|Soltam 155&nbsp;mm M-71]] gun-howitzers were procured from Israel and entered service as the G4 howitzer.<ref name=Janes1996_G5 />

The Canadian [[GC-45 howitzer|GC-45]] was selected as the baseline howitzer from which to commence indigenous development.<ref name=Janes1996_G5 /> Armscor procured barrels, 30,000 rounds and design specifications for the GC-45 from [[Gerald Bull]].  One of the GC-45 test pieces was mounted on a US [[155 mm Long Tom|155&nbsp;mm M59]] carriage – and a further six GC-45s had changes made to internal ballistics, barrel construction and carriage and cradle fixtures, to become the prototype models eventually leading to the G5. These GC-45s had been developed by SRC International of Belgium, a joint venture between Gerald Bull's [[Space Research Corporation]] of Canada and [[Poudreries Réunies de Belgique|PRB]] of Belgium.<ref>Janes (1996), pg. 645</ref> Further changes included the addition of a small [[Auxiliary power unit|APU]] to allow the gun to dig itself in and move short distances at up to {{convert|16|km/h|mph}}, as well as the addition of an advanced muzzle brake. The G5 became operational in 1983.<ref name=Janes1996_G5 />

Using the normal [[Rifling#Extended range, full bore|Extended Range, Full Bore]] (ERFB) ammunition the normal range is {{convert|30|km|mi}}, which can be extended to about {{convert|40|km|mi}} using [[base bleed]] shells, or {{convert|50|km|mi}} using rocket-assisted V-LAP rounds. In 2002 Denel produced the G5-2000 version, with much greater range and accuracy than the earlier 45-calibre version.

The G5 gun has been placed on an [[Land Systems OMC|OMC]] [[four wheel drive|6×6]] chassis to produce the fully self-propelled '''[[G6 howitzer]]''', and won major export sales in this form from the [[United Arab Emirates]] and [[Oman]]. In response to a request from India it has also been tested on the back of a TATRA 8×8 wheeled truck, a combination known as the '''T5-2000'''. It has also been fitted into a turret, named the T6, that can be placed on any suitable vehicle; it has been fitted on the [[T-72]] [[tank]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=LLC|first=Books|title=Modern Field Artillery: G5 Howitzer, G7 Howitzer, Type 60 122 Mm Field Gun, 152 Mm Field Gun-Howitzer M84 Nora-A|publisher=General Books LLC|year=2010|isbn=9781158580255|location=|pages=}}</ref>