The United Kingdom is working to rebuild its artillery capacity after supplying most of its older systems to Ukraine.
The British Army is eyeing a cutting-edge artillery weapon that can hit targets almost 45 miles away.
The United Kingdom recently signed a contract with Germany for delivery of Rheinmetall’s RCH 155 artillery system.
About the RCH 155 Gun
Worth $70 million (£52 million), the contract is for a single Early Capability Demonstrator (ECD) platform of the RCH 155 state-of-the-art military artillery. Germany will receive two such platforms.
The British Army is eyeing the RCH 155 as the long-term solution for its mobile fire platform requirement. The weapon will be mounted on a UK-made Boxer armored vehicle. According to the available testing data, the RCH 155 can fire eight rounds per minute, hit targets in any direction without repositioning, and travel approximately 435 miles without refueling. The artillery system only requires two crew members to operate.
Perhaps one of the most promising aspects of the RCH 155 is its ability to fire on the move. Unlike traditional self-propelled artillery systems that need to stop and set up before firing, the RCH 155 can shoot while on the move, thus increasing its effectiveness while also boosting its chances of avoiding enemy counter-artillery fire.
As part of the contract, the two countries will share firing test data and facilities to ensure that both the British Army and Bundeswehr receive the same weapon system.
“This joint procurement demonstrates deepening defence cooperation between the UK and Germany under the Trinity House agreement signed in October 2024 – a landmark defence agreement that committed both nations to military collaboration,” the British government stated about the deal with Germany.
The British Army’s focus on artillery is prudent. The conflict in Ukraine has shown that artillery remains the king of the battle more than 200 years after the French Emperor Napoleon Bonapatre—himself an artillery officer before rising through the ranks—awarded it this title. For nearly four years, both the Ukrainian and Russian forces have relied on artillery fire to attrite their adversary, deny territory, reduce fortified positions to rubble, and suppress enemy fire.
“The British Army will soon have new artillery that can fire on the move. This builds on lessons from Ukraine enabling our Army to hit targets 70km away and move fast away from returning fire so they can fire again,” Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said in a government press release.
“The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of being able to fire rapidly and move, and it is such lessons that are informing our procurement decisions and helping us deliver on the Strategic Defence Review,” Pollard added.
The British Army Gave Its Artillery to Ukraine—Now It Needs More
The British Army is in urgent need of a self-propelled artillery system. London transferred all of its AS90 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. London bought 14 Archer 155mm self-propelled artillery systems from Sweden as an interim solution until the RCH 155 becomes operational.
In addition, the British Army operates the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), a tracked rocket artillery system. The M270 MLRS and its wheeled cousin, the M142 High Mobility Rocket Artillery System (HIMARS), have proven extremely effective in Ukraine.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock / Flying Camera.
