The Italian pack howitzer that can be broken down and carried by a mule

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed in the 1950s for Italy's mountain troops, the OTO Melara Mod 56 is a 105 mm howitzer famous for its portability. It can be disassembled into twelve separate components in minutes, allowing it to be transported by pack animals, light vehicles, or even lifted by helicopter in one piece.

The OTO Melara Mod 56 was conceived to meet the specific needs of the Italian Army's Alpini brigades, which required a lightweight artillery piece capable of navigating rugged mountain terrain. Its defining feature is its modular design; the gun can be broken down into twelve distinct parts, a configuration that originally prioritized transport via mule-pack saddles. This versatility made it highly attractive to Western militaries in the 1960s, as its low weight allowed for rapid deployment by helicopter, making it a staple for airborne and mountain units globally.

Despite its tactical flexibility, the Mod 56 faced significant challenges regarding durability. Its lightweight construction meant it lacked the robustness required for sustained, continuous combat operations. During the Vietnam War, Australian and New Zealand gunners found the weapon unsuitable for prolonged use, eventually replacing it with the more durable US-made M101A1. Similarly, the British Army sought a replacement, the L118 light gun, after finding the Mod 56—known in Commonwealth service as the L5—lacked the necessary range and lethality during the Falklands War.

The gun's operational history is extensive, spanning more than 30 countries. It saw service in diverse environments, from the jungles of Borneo and the Malayan Emergency to the conflict in South Yemen and the Nigerian Civil War. More recently, the weapon has appeared in contemporary conflicts, including the Siachen conflict in Pakistan and the Russo-Ukrainian War, where Spanish-donated units were deployed in Bakhmut in March 2023. While its original design prioritized portability, the Mod 56's legacy remains defined by its unique ability to bridge the gap between heavy artillery and infantry-portable equipment.

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