The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a near 1-billion-pound agreement to acquire 72 RCH 155 artillery systems as part of its long-term effort to replace the aging AS-90 self-propelled howitzer fleet. The contract was awarded to Artec, the partnership formed by KNDS and Rheinmetall, and covers training, support, and sustainment services alongside the procurement itself. Initial deliveries are expected from 2028, with operational deployment planned before the decade’s end. The purchase is tied to the British Army’s Mobile Fires Platform modernization initiative, launched to replace AS-90 artillery systems that have remained in service for more than three decades. Britain’s donation of several AS-90 units to Ukraine further accelerated the requirement for a replacement capability, temporarily addressed through the acquisition of Archer artillery platforms. The deal also reflects growing UK-German defense collaboration under the Trinity House Agreement, signed in 2024 to facilitate joint procurement arrangements for advanced military systems. The program is expected to generate major industrial benefits across the United Kingdom, including weapons production at Rheinmetall’s Telford facility and the use of domestically produced steel from Sheffield Forgemasters. In parallel, KNDS UK will manufacture Boxer vehicle drive modules in Stockport, contributing to hundreds of jobs throughout the wider defense supply chain. Built on the Boxer armored vehicle platform, the RCH 155 combines high mobility with advanced automation and survivability features. The system is capable of firing accurately while moving, a capability enabled by stabilization technology adapted from modern main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Its automated turret allows operation by a minimal crew from within a protected compartment while carrying significantly more ammunition than conventional wheeled artillery systems. Designed for rapid-fire missions and long-range engagement, the RCH 155 offers improved operational endurance, battlefield mobility, and protection against counterfire threats, making it one of the most advanced self-propelled artillery systems currently available.
