Key Takeaways
- The United Kingdom is rebuilding its artillery capacity after supplying most of its older systems to Ukraine.
- The British Army has signed a contract with Germany for the delivery of Rheinmetall’s RCH 155 artillery system, a cutting-edge weapon that can hit targets almost 45 miles away.
- The RCH 155 can fire eight rounds per minute, hit targets in any direction without repositioning, and travel approximately 435 miles without refueling.
- The British Army is focusing on artillery due to its importance in the conflict in Ukraine, where both Ukrainian and Russian forces have relied on artillery fire to attrite their adversary.
- The UK’s artillery procurement decisions are being informed by lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, with a focus on rapid firing and mobility.
Introduction to the RCH 155 Artillery System
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 the delivery of Rheinmetall’s RCH 155 artillery system. This contract is worth $70 million (£52 million) and 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.
Capabilities of the RCH 155
The RCH 155 is a highly advanced artillery system that 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. 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.
Collaboration between the UK and Germany
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 defense cooperation between the UK and Germany under the Trinity House agreement signed in October 2024 – a landmark defense agreement that committed both nations to military collaboration. The British government has stated that this agreement is a significant step forward in the two countries’ military relationship.
The Importance of Artillery in Modern Warfare
The British Army’s focus on artillery is prudent, given the importance of artillery in modern warfare. The conflict in Ukraine has shown that artillery remains a crucial component of military operations, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces relying on artillery fire to attrite their adversary, deny territory, reduce fortified positions to rubble, and suppress enemy fire. The British Army has learned valuable lessons from the war in Ukraine, including the importance of rapid firing and mobility. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard has stated that the British Army will soon have new artillery that can fire on the move, enabling the army to hit targets 70km away and move fast away from returning fire.
The British Army’s Need for a Self-Propelled Artillery System
The British Army is in urgent need of a self-propelled artillery system, having transferred all of its AS90 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. To address this need, the British Army has 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, and its wheeled cousin, the M142 High Mobility Rocket Artillery System (HIMARS), which have proven extremely effective in Ukraine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the United Kingdom’s procurement of the RCH 155 artillery system is a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to rebuild its artillery capacity. The RCH 155’s advanced capabilities, including its ability to fire on the move, make it an attractive option for the British Army. The collaboration between the UK and Germany on this project demonstrates the deepening defense cooperation between the two countries. As the British Army continues to learn from the conflict in Ukraine, it is clear that artillery will remain a crucial component of modern warfare, and the RCH 155 is well-positioned to play a key role in the UK’s military operations.
