- The UK and Germany signed a £52 million contract to jointly procure RCH 155 mobile artillery systems, with one platform for the UK and two for Germany for joint testing.
- The RCH 155, mounted on a Boxer armored vehicle, can fire while moving at up to 100 km/h and strike targets at ranges of up to 70 km.
The United Kingdom and Germany have signed a £52 million ($70 million) contract to jointly procure a new mobile artillery system capable of firing while on the move, the two governments confirmed this week.
Under the agreement, the UK will receive one Early Capability Demonstrator (ECD) of the RCH 155 artillery system, while Germany will receive two platforms for joint testing and evaluation. The contract is intended to accelerate delivery timelines for both armies while sharing test data and facilities.
According to a press release from the UK government, the deal reflects closer defense cooperation between London and Berlin under the Trinity House agreement signed in October 2024, which committed both countries to deeper military collaboration and interoperability.
The RCH 155 is a self-propelled 155mm artillery system mounted on a Boxer armored vehicle. It is designed to fire up to eight rounds per minute while moving at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and can engage targets at ranges of up to 70 kilometers. The system can fire in any direction without repositioning, travel up to 700 kilometers without refueling, and operate with a crew of just two due to a high level of automation.
Unlike traditional artillery systems that must halt and set up before firing, the RCH 155 is designed to shoot on the move, allowing units to relocate rapidly after firing and reduce vulnerability to counter-battery attacks.
The UK Ministry of Defence said the RCH 155 is intended as a long-term solution for the British Army’s Mobile Fires Platform requirement. British forces currently operate 14 Archer artillery systems, which were acquired as a short-term replacement after AS90 self-propelled guns were transferred to Ukraine.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the new system reflects operational lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine. “The British Army will soon have new artillery that can fire on the move,” Pollard said. “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.”
Pollard added that the conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of rapid firing and maneuver in modern artillery operations and said those lessons are informing current procurement decisions under the UK’s Strategic Defence Review.
As part of the contract, the UK and Germany will conduct joint testing and share evaluation data to speed up development while lowering overall costs. Officials said this approach allows both nations to advance procurement programs more efficiently than pursuing separate national efforts.
Edward Cutts, Senior Responsible Owner of Mobile Fires in the British Army, said the joint demonstrator program highlights the intent behind 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,” Cutts said.
Cutts also said the RCH 155 combines high firepower with rapid mobility and supports greater interoperability between UK and German forces within NATO.
The UK government said the contract also supports the Strategic Defence Review by sustaining skilled jobs across the British defense industry and reinforcing defense manufacturing as part of broader economic policy.