Switzerland has signed a contract with KNDS for the acquisition of 32 Artillery Gun Module (AGM) wheeled self-propelled howitzers based on the RCH 155 platform. The procurement follows the system’s selection in November 2024 over the Archer Mobile Howitzer as the replacement for the Swiss Armed Forces’ aging M109 artillery fleet, which has been in service since the 1960s. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2031 and will include 32 ammunition loading containers, training systems, and comprehensive logistics support packages.
The AGM systems will be mounted on the Piranha IV 10×10 vehicle supplied by GDELS-Mowag. Equipped with a fully automated and remotely operated gun module, the AGM is uniquely capable of conducting fire missions while moving, enhancing survivability and operational flexibility. Its advanced automation reduces crew requirements to just two personnel—a commander and a driver/operator—while also allowing space for an additional crew member or extra equipment.
The howitzer can deliver up to nine rounds per minute, features full 360-degree turret rotation, and offers an elevation range from -2.5 to 65 degrees. It carries 30 ready-to-fire rounds along with 144 modular propellant charges. Depending on the ammunition employed, the system can strike targets at distances of up to 40 kilometers using base-bleed rounds and up to 54 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles. In addition to Switzerland, the RCH 155 has been ordered by Germany, the United Kingdom, Qatar, and Ukraine.
