The UK and Germany have solidified their defense partnership by signing a significant joint procurement contract valued at £52 million ($70.1 million), aimed at enhancing artillery capabilities that allow for firing while moving and can effectively neutralize targets situated over 70 kilometers (42 miles) away.
As part of this agreement, the UK will take delivery of an early prototype of the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155-millimeter (RCH 155) artillery system. In tandem, Germany will receive two additional platforms for joint testing purposes. This initiative is part of broader efforts to bolster NATO interoperability and collective defense strategies in the face of increasingly precarious security conditions across Europe.
Officials from both governments emphasized that collaboration in this program would enable shared access to test data and facilities, ultimately accelerating delivery timelines while also curbing costs. British Army Mobile Fires Senior Responsible Owner Edward Cutts highlighted that this partnership not only expedites the deployment of advanced artillery capabilities for the British Army but does so in a manner that is more efficient and economical than either nation could achieve independently.
This contract is a continuation of previous commitments, following a separate $1.4 billion agreement between the German government and the KNDS-Rheinmetall joint venture Artec, which concerns the acquisition of 84 RCH 155 systems. Under this overarching framework agreement, there is potential for the procurement of up to 500 howitzers for Germany and its partner nations.
The RCH 155, mounted on a Boxer armored vehicle, boasts remarkable operational capabilities, firing up to eight rounds per minute while on the move, with a maximum speed of 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour. Additionally, it can engage targets in any direction without needing to reposition, operate effectively with a streamlined crew of two through automated systems, and travel an impressive distance of 700 kilometers (435 miles) without refueling.
This significant procurement effort comes as the UK seeks to establish the RCH 155 as the British Army’s long-term Mobile Fires Platform, succeeding the interim Archer systems that were introduced following the donation of AS90 artillery to support Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.
UK Defense Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard acknowledged the critical lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the necessity for artillery systems capable of rapid fire and mobility. He asserted that these insights are instrumental in guiding procurement strategies and aligning with the goals outlined in the Strategic Defence Review.
