The HM-41 is an Iranian 155 mm howitzer based on the KH179, which was imported from South Korea during the Iran–Iraq War.[1][2] It has a 155 mm/39 caliber barrel with a muzzle brake to lessen the recoil.[3]
The HM-41 has been offered for export, but no country is known to be using it except Iran.[4]
A wheeled self-propelled version was reported to be under development. The first prototype was finished in 2011.[5]
In 2012, Iran unveiled laser guided Basir 155 mm artillery shells which were tested by an HM 41 howitzer.[6] In 2017, a new version of the Iranian-made 155mm self-propelled howitzer dubbed (Ashura) is based on a 6x6 IVECO Trakker truck chassis using the same HM-41 towed howitzer mounted at the rear of the truck.[7]
According to Iranian sources, the HM-41 weighs 6,890 kg, the same weight as the South KoreanKH179. The HM-41's main components are also very similar in appearance to the KH179's CN79 barrel, RM79 recoil buffer, and CG79 mount and firing a rocket-assisted High-Explosive (HE) projectile, a maximum range of 30 km can be achieved. Firing an unassisted HE projectile, a maximum range of 22 km can be obtained.