The United Kingdom and Germany have signed a £52 million ($70.1 million) joint procurement agreement for a new artillery capability designed to fire on the move and strike targets at ranges exceeding 70 kilometers (42 miles).
Under the agreement, the UK will receive an early prototype of the 155mm Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH 155), while two additional systems will be delivered to Germany for joint evaluation and testing. Officials from both governments said the initiative enhances NATO interoperability and reinforces collective defense in an increasingly contested security environment.
The program will see both nations share testing facilities and performance data, enabling faster acquisition timelines while reducing overall costs. The deal follows Germany’s separate $1.4 billion contract with the KNDS–Rheinmetall joint venture Artec for 84 RCH 155 systems, part of a broader framework that allows for the procurement of up to 500 howitzers by Germany and partner nations.
Mounted on the Boxer armored vehicle, the RCH 155 features a fully automated 155mm gun system capable of firing up to eight rounds per minute while traveling at speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph). The system can engage targets in any direction without repositioning, operates with a two-person crew, and has an operational range of approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) without refueling.
The UK intends to adopt the RCH 155 as the British Army’s future Mobile Fires Platform, replacing the interim Archer artillery systems introduced after the donation of AS90 howitzers to Ukraine.
