Military Wiki
160 mm mortar M-160
160 mm mortar M-160-4050
Type Mortar
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1953-present
Wars
Specifications
Mass combat: 1,300 kilograms (2,900 lb)
Barrel length 4.55 metres (14.9 ft)
Crew 7

Shell 41.5 kilograms (91 lb) bomb
Caliber 160 millimetres (6.3 in)
Elevation +50° to +80°
Traverse 24°
Rate of fire 2-3 rounds/minute
Muzzle velocity 343 metres per second (1,130 ft/s)
Effective firing range 8.040 metres (8.793 yd)

The Soviet 160 mm Mortar M-160 is a smoothbore breech loading heavy mortar which fired a 160 mm bomb. It replaced the 160mm Mortar M1943 in Soviet service after World War II.

Description[]

It is very similar to the M1943 mortar but has a longer barrel, thus enabling greater range.[1] It is mounted on a wheeled carriage, in order to be towed by trucks such as the GAZ-66. China copied it as the Type 56 mortar.[2]

According to the combat doctrine of the Vietnamese People's Army, the 160mm mortar was developed to destroy the enemy's fortified bunkers and trenches, and can also be used to ambush military bases. The mortar can be deployed in all terrains such as hills, urban areas or plains, etc. To be most effective, it is usually deployed in hilly and urban areas where the target is often hidden.[3]

Service[]

It was introduced in 1953.[2] Originally deployed as a standard mortar for all types of division, it is currently particularly used as mountain or urban artillery. Some countries still use it as field artillery.[1] China originally deployed 12 Type 56 mortars per field division. The M-160 saw service during the Arab–Israeli conflict, including the Lebanese Civil War, and with the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[2]

Users[]

  • Flag of Russia Russia: 300[4]
  • Flag of Cambodia Cambodia[5]
  • Flag of Mongolia Mongolia[6]
  • Flag of Myanmar Myanmar:Type-56 variant.[7][8]
  • Flag of Nicaragua Nicaragua: 4 in store[9]
  • Flag of Syria Syria[10]

Former users[]

References[]

  • International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. 116. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857438352. 

External links[]

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The original article can be found at M-160 mortar and the edit history here.