UK and Germany Ink £52 Million Deal for Advanced RCH 155 Artillery System

Historic Defense Agreement Signed

The United Kingdom and Germany officially announced on December 28, 2025, the signing of a £52 million contract for the joint procurement and testing of the advanced RCH 155 Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm artillery system. This significant agreement, valued at approximately €59.6 million or $70 million, marks a crucial step in deepening defense cooperation between the two nations under the framework of the Trinity House agreement, which was established in October 2024.

Early Capability Demonstrator Initiative

Under the terms of the contract, the UK will receive one prototype RCH 155 system, while Germany will acquire two units. These systems will be utilized within a new Early Capability Demonstrator initiative, designed to facilitate shared testing data, technical expertise, and operational feedback between the British and German militaries. This collaborative approach aims to accelerate land warfare modernization and inform potential future procurement decisions for both countries. The joint program is also intended to strengthen interoperability and collective defense capabilities within NATO.

RCH 155: A New Era of Mobile Artillery

The RCH 155 is a state-of-the-art wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (now KNDS Deutschland). It is mounted on a Boxer 8x8 wheeled chassis and boasts impressive capabilities, including the ability to:

• Fire while moving at speeds of up to 100 km/h.
• Strike targets at ranges of up to 70 kilometers (with some sources indicating a current range of 54 km).
• Operate with a minimal two-person crew due to its high degree of automation.
• Deliver up to eight rounds per minute.

This system is envisioned as a long-term solution for the British Army's Mobile Fires Platform program, serving as a replacement for the interim Archer artillery systems and the AS90 guns that were previously donated to Ukraine.

Responding to Modern Battlefield Needs

UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition, stating, '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.' Edward Cutts, the British Army's Senior Responsible Owner of Mobile Fires, added that the joint demonstrator program 'exemplifies the strength and ambition of the Trinity House Agreement,' ensuring world-class artillery capability more efficiently and cost-effectively.