{{Infobox weapon |name=M108 howitzer |image=File:ROCA M108 howitzer in Armor School Side View 20130302.jpg |caption=A Taiwanese M108 self-propelled howitzer |origin=United States |type=Self-propelled gun |wars=Vietnam War |service=1962–1975 |is_vehicle=yes |is_ranged=yes |is_artillery=yes |manufacturer=Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors Corp |length={{convert|6.11|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} |width={{convert|3.15|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} |height={{convert|3.28|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} |weight={{convert|21|t|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} <!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> |cartridge=105x372R semi-fixed, semi-fixed cartridge |caliber=105 mm caliber |part_length={{convert|3.15|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} L/30 |action= |rate=3-4 rounds/min |velocity= |range=Conventional: {{convert|11.5|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} |max_range= |feed= |sights= <!-- Artillery specifications --> |breech= vertical sliding block |recoil= |carriage= |elevation=- 6 to + 75 degrees |traverse=360° <!-- Vehicle specifications --> |suspension=torsion-bar |speed={{convert|56|km/h|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} |vehicle_range={{convert|360|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} |primary_armament=M103 105&nbsp;mm howitzer (87 rounds) |secondary_armament=.50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun |armour={{convert|31.8|mm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} |engine=Detroit Diesel turbocharged 8V-71T 8-cylinders |crew=5 |engine_power={{convert|425|hp|kW|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} |pw_ratio= }}

The '''M108 howitzer''' is an American self-propelled 105 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s as a replacement for the M52 self-propelled howitzer.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20190225044823/http://www.military-today.com/artillery/m108.htm M108]}}. ''Military-Today''.</ref>

The M108 was powered by a Detroit Diesel turbocharged 8V-71T 8-cylinders 405&nbsp;hp engine. It used the same hull and turret as the 155&nbsp;mm M109 self-propelled howitzer, and components of the M113 armored personnel carrier. The M108 was phased out soon after the American intervention in the Vietnam War, as the M109's 155&nbsp;mm calibre was considered better fitted for modern war.

The M108 was used by a few NATO countries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m108.htm |title=M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer |access-date=2019-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305053431/https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m108.htm |archive-date=2017-03-05 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Operational history ==

The M108 howitzer's sole use in combat occurred in the Vietnam War. M108s equipped the first U.S. Army field artillery unit deployed to the conflict, when the 3-6 Field Artillery Battalion was deployed to Pleiku on June 17, 1966. This was soon followed by the 1-40th Field Artillery Battalion to Dong Ha Combat Base in October, 1966. M108s were generally employed from fortified fire bases providing artillery support to units in the field. Because M108 and M109 howitzers could traverse their main gun 360 degrees, unlike towed artillery, they were ideal for holding fire-base positions, which might be subject to attack from any direction. Both M108 battalions were withdrawn and phased out of U.S. Army service in 1975.<ref>{{cite book |last= Zaloga |first= Steven |date= 2005 |title= M109 155mm Self_Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005 |publisher= Osprey Publishing|pages= 9–13|isbn= 1-84176-631-3}}</ref>

== General characteristics == {{stack|thumb|The M108 in 1961}}

* Length: 6.11 m * Width: 3.15 m * Height: 3.28 m * Weight: 21 t * Speed: 56&nbsp;km/h (35&nbsp;mph) * Range: 360&nbsp;km * Crew: 5 * Armament: ** Primary: M103 105 mm howitzer ** Secondary: .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun * Rate of fire: 4 rounds/min * Shooting range: 11.5 km (HE) 15&nbsp;km (HERA)

==Users== thumb|An M108 self-propelled howitzer in Vietnam [[File:M110A2 M108 M44Texas Military Forces Museum.jpg|thumb|M108 (middle) at the Texas Military Forces Museum]]

===Current users===

*{{CHI}}: Chilean Army 21 M108 VBCL (Véhicule Blindé de Commandement et Liaison) (Former Belgian Army). *{{URU}}: National Army of Uruguay 10 M108AP.<ref name="Brazil Uruguay donation"/> *{{PAR}}: Paraguayan Army 6 M108AP<ref name="Brazil Paraguay donation"/> ===Former users===

*{{AUS}}: Lent by US Army for Australian Defense Force during the Vietnam War. *{{BEL}}: Belgian Army: 95,<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/grif_0770-6081_1976_num_14_1_1123 | title=L'Armée belge | journal=Les Cahiers du GRIF | date=1976 | volume=14 | issue=1 | pages=49–50 }}</ref> until the 1980s. *{{BRA}}: Brazilian Army 72 M108AP, withdrawn,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.defesaaereanaval.com.br/exercito/exercito-realiza-ultimo-tiro-do-obuseiro-m108 | title=Exército realiza último tiro do obuseiro M108 | website=Defesa Aerea e Naval | date=23 September 2019 | language=pt}}</ref> 10 donated to Uruguay.<ref name="Brazil Uruguay donation">{{Cite web | url=https://www.pucara.org/post/c%C3%A1mara-de-diputados-de-brasil-aprueba-donaci%C3%B3n-de-21-veh%C3%ADculos-blindados-a-uruguay?fbclid=IwAR3RsDS1zw_EGOBAnR57nP0Bv0FmyDAQmSuZVCyvKcuYYKqkyiwy35XwQG0 | title=Cámara de Diputados de Brasil aprueba donación de 21 vehículos blindados a Uruguay | website=Pucará Defensa | date=6 August 2022 | language=es}}</ref> 6 donated to Paraguay.<ref name="Brazil Paraguay donation">{{Cite web |last=Militar |first=Redaccion Zona |date=2025-12-16 |title=Brazil’s Senate Advances the Donation of M108 Self-Propelled Howitzers to Equip the Paraguayan Army |url=https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2025/12/15/brazils-senate-advances-the-donation-of-m108-self-propelled-howitzers-to-equip-the-paraguayan-army/ |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=Zona Militar |language=en-US}}</ref> *{{CAM}}: Khmer National Army: withdrawn<ref name="Handbook">{{Cite book| title = Cambodia, a Country Study | edition = Third | editor-last = Ross | editor-first = Russell | year = 1987 | publisher = Department of the Army, American University | location = Washington, D.C. | series = Area Handbook Series | isbn = 978-0160208386 | page = 313}}</ref> *{{SPN}}: Spanish Army: 48, withdrawn *{{TWN}}: Republic of China Army: 100 *{{TUR}}: Turkish Army: 26 M108T withdrawn<ref name=jamesron>{{cite book|title=Weapons Transfers and Violations of the Laws of War in Turkey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b99dfVMJNRMC&q=Weapons+Transfers+and+Violations+of+the+Laws+of+War+in+Turkey|work=James Ron|isbn = 9781564321619|accessdate=13 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119175028/https://books.google.com/books?id=b99dfVMJNRMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Weapons+Transfers+and+Violations+of+the+Laws+of+War+in+Turkey&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=jcwhU7PKDdCCyQOM-oCoAg|archive-date=19 January 2019|url-status=live|last3 = Ron|first3 = James|last4 = (Organization)|first4 = Human Rights Watch|year = 1995| publisher=Human Rights Watch }}</ref> *{{USA}}: US Army withdrawn. *{{TUN}}: Tunisian Army 48.

==Comparable weapons== *FV433 Abbot SPG - British 105mm SPG

==See also== thumb|''"Weapons of the Field Artillery"'' (1966). * List of U.S. military vehicles by model number * List of U.S. military vehicles by supply catalog designation SNL G-296 * {{lwc|M7 Priest}} * {{lwc|M37 105 mm howitzer motor carriage}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/105mmsphm108.html Detailed data] *[https://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m108_howitzer.php Olive-Drab.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228115539/https://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m108_howitzer.php |date=2021-12-28 }} *[https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=186 Militaryfactory.com] *[https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=1476 Forecast International] *[http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/105mmsphm108.html]

Category:Tracked self-propelled howitzers Category:Self-propelled howitzers of the United States Category:Cold War artillery of the United States Category:105 mm artillery Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1960s