Cardoen CC-SP-45 - The G6 Rhino self-propelled howitzer manufactured in Chile

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Cardoen CC-SP-45

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History:

Cardoen Industries was a Chilean defense company owned by Carlos Cardoen, founded in 1978. The company was primarily known for the design and manufacture of general-purpose and cluster bombs, which were best-sellers in Chile and abroad. Cardoen also designed and manufactured armored vehicles carrying a variety of weapons. Cardoen’s most produced vehicle was the Mowag Piranha, built under license in Chile and featuring various configurations, from anti-aircraft armament to turrets with 90 mm cannons. Cardoen managed to locally manufacture the Swiss firm’s Mowag Piranha, but also managed to secure a contract with the South African company Armscor to locally manufacture the G6 Rhino self-propelled howitzer.

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A newspaper of the time mentions the South African howitzers manufactured in Chile. The photo shows a Cardoen CC-SP-45 self-propelled artillery unit during testing in northern Chile.

In 1987 Cardoen signed an agreement with the South African company Armscor for the manufacture of the 155 mm G5 howitzer and the G6 self-propelled howitzer also known as the G6 Rhino, the 155mm G5 towed howitzer was designated by Cardoen as the CC-45 while the G6 self-propelled howitzer was designated as the CC-SP-45. By 1989 when it was formally announced that Cardoen would produce these howitzers, the Chilean industry had already completed a CC-SP-45 (G6) and it had been seen in firing tests in northern Chile. By 1990, 6 of these self-propelled howitzers had been completed, and that same year, 6 CC-45 (G5) had also been produced. The vehicle’s armor and cannon were manufactured locally in Chile by Cardoen, since they also owned a metallurgical industry in northern Chile. In fact, in 1991, after facing various legal problems, Industrias Cardoen was renamed “Industria Metalurgica del Norte Ltda (Metalnor),” while the most critical components, such as the vehicle’s engine and transmission, were purchased abroad.

In 1990, the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE 1990) was held in Chile, where Cardoen presented its various products to potential clients. One of these products was the Cardoen CC-SP-45, which was displayed in the hangar reserved for this Chilean company. Images of this vehicle can be found in Chilean television archives from the time. This event generated tensions within Chilean politics, since South Africa was under an international embargo due to apartheid at the time. Therefore, they were not invited to the Chilean fair, but one of their products, the G6 Rhino, manufactured in Chile, was still being exhibited.

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A Cardoen CC-SP-45 being displayed during FIDAE 1990, image from the archive of a Chilean television channel

Due to this incident, the agreement to manufacture these G6 self-propelled howitzers was canceled due to concerns among Chilean politicians that it would tarnish Chile’s image. However, the Chilean-made G5 towed howitzer remains in service in the country to this day and possibly the Cardoen CC-SP-45 (G6) were sent to South Africa since they did not enter service with the Chilean army.

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One of the G5 howitzers manufactured in Chile by Cardoen during testing in the north of the country

The Cardoen CC-SP-45 was identical in design and performance to the original South African G6 Rhino. The vehicle had armor up to 15 mm thick, which protected it from low-caliber machine gun fire, but was vulnerable to heavier caliber machine guns such as 12 mm. It had a 6x6 wheel configuration and was powered by a 525 hp engine and a transmission with 6 forward gears and 1 reverse, giving it a top speed of 90 km/h on roads and 85 km/h off-road, which was quite impressive for a vehicle of its size, although due to its weight of 46 t, its acceleration was poor. Due to its enormous size, it was operated by 6 men: the commander, gunner, driver and 3 loaders.

Its main armament consisted of a 155 mm G5 cannon manufactured locally in Chile under the name Cardoen CC-45, capable of firing 45.5 kg high-explosive ammunition that housed 8.7 kg of explosive mass inside, which for the time made it one of the most devastating artillery pieces. The gun has an elevation of -5° to +75°. Some versions of the G6 Rhino could carry a 7.62 or 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, but the Chilean-made version did not have one.

Specifications:

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Photos:

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Sources:

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