- State-of-the-art military artillery that can move at speeds
of up to 100km/h secured under £52 million contract.
- Joint deal speeds up delivery of military kit to both the UK
and Germany – demonstrating deepening defence cooperation.
- Partnership strengthens NATO capabilities of collective
defence – strengthening interoperability.
Military artillery that can fire on the move and hit targets 70km
away has been secured under a major £52 million contract between
the UK and Germany.
The deal means the UK will receive a cutting-edge Early
Capability Demonstrator (ECD) platform of the RCH 155, with two
more going to Germany for joint testing.
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.
RCH 155 is a long-term solution for the British Army's Mobile
Fires Platform requirement. Soldiers currently operate the 14
Archer artillery systems, which are the short-term replacement
for the AS90 guns gifted to Ukraine.
The RCH 155 is mounted on to a BOXER armoured vehicle and it can:
- Fire 8 rounds per minute while moving at speeds up to
100km/h.
- Hit targets in any direction without repositioning.
- Travel 700km without refuelling – similar to the driving
distance from Cornwall to Newcastle.
- Operate with only 2 crew members thanks to cutting-edge
automation.
Unlike traditional artillery that needs to stop and set up before
firing, this system shoots while on the move, making it faster
and harder for adversaries to target.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, MP said:
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.
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.
As part of the contract, the UK and Germany will share test data
and facilities, ensuring both nations get world-class equipment.
This means both nations are accelerating procurement timelines
whilst reducing costs – delivering better value for taxpayers and
enhanced capability for both Armed Forces.
Edward Cutts, Senior Responsible Owner of Mobile Fires in the
Army, said:
This joint demonstrator programme exemplifies the strength and
ambition of the Trinity House Agreement. By working hand-in-hand
with Germany, we're not only accelerating the delivery of
world-class artillery capability for the British Army, but doing
so more efficiently and cost-effectively than either nation could
achieve alone.
The RCH 155 represents a step-change in mobile artillery –
combining devastating firepower with the ability to rapidly
reposition. This collaboration ensures our soldiers will be
equipped with cutting-edge technology whilst strengthening the
interoperability between UK and German forces that is vital to
NATO's collective defence.
The contract agreement supports the Strategic Defence Review –
ensuring defence is an engine for growth in this parliament and
supporting skilled jobs across the UK defence industry.
The deal strengthens military ties between the UK and Germany –
vital for NATO's collective defence as global threats on the
world stage evolve.
