Paraguay’s Army is preparing to field 105 mm self-propelled artillery for the first time, according to a report by Nacional AM citing a planned donation from Brazil announced by Army Commander General Manuel Rodríguez. Broadcast on Paraguay’s state radio, the announcement indicates that Brazil plans to transfer six M108 tracked self-propelled howitzers. If completed, the move would mark a significant evolution in Paraguay’s artillery structure, replacing purely towed fire support with a mobile, armored capability. The initiative underscores deepening defence ties between Asunción and Brasília, with surplus Brazilian equipment being leveraged to build capability without the burden of major procurement programs.
Developed in the early 1960s, the M108 is an American-designed, turreted 105 mm self-propelled howitzer built on the same tracked chassis family as the 155 mm M109. Intended to support maneuver forces, it combines armored mobility with a fully traversable gun, allowing rapid repositioning after firing. The system is typically crewed by five personnel, carries a significant onboard ammunition supply, and is fitted with a roof-mounted heavy machine gun for self-defence. With a maximum road speed of around 55–60 km/h and an operational range of approximately 350 km, the M108 was designed for mobile operations rather than static artillery roles. Its effective range of about 11–12 km places it below modern heavy artillery but within a useful envelope for tactical fire missions.
The M108 saw service during the Cold War, including combat deployment in the Vietnam War period, before the U.S. military phased out 105 mm self-propelled guns in favor of 155 mm systems. Brazil became a major operator after purchasing 72 vehicles from U.S. Army stocks in the early 1970s. These howitzers remained in Brazilian service for many years, supported by domestic upgrades in the early 1980s, notably involving engine replacements. Ultimately, the platform’s age and caliber constraints led to its retirement, with Brazilian M108s withdrawn between 2017 and 2018 and replaced by M109A5+ self-propelled howitzers.
Brazil has previously transferred surplus M108s to regional partners, most notably Uruguay, where the systems enabled the creation of a self-propelled artillery unit and the phased retirement of outdated towed guns. This precedent illustrates how the introduction of even a limited number of tracked artillery platforms can reshape force structure and doctrine, encouraging a shift toward more mobile and resilient fire-support operations.
