London, December 28, 2025 – The United Kingdom and Germany have signed a £52 million (approximately $70 million) joint procurement contract for the cutting-edge RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled howitzer, a mobile artillery system capable of firing while on the move and engaging targets up to 70 kilometers away. The agreement, announced by the UK Ministry of Defence, marks a significant step in modernizing the British Army's artillery capabilities while deepening bilateral defence ties.
Under the terms of the deal, the UK will receive one Early Capability Demonstrator (ECD) platform of the RCH 155, with two additional units allocated to Germany for joint testing and evaluation. This collaborative approach allows both nations to share test data, facilities, and expertise, accelerating development timelines and reducing costs compared to individual procurements.
The RCH 155, developed by KNDS (formerly Krauss-Maffei Wegmann), integrates a fully automated 155mm L52 gun module—derived from the proven PzH 2000 tracked howitzer—onto the modular Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle chassis. Key features include the ability to fire eight rounds per minute while moving at speeds up to 100 km/h, engage targets in any direction without repositioning the vehicle, operate with a reduced crew of just two due to advanced automation, and achieve an unrefuelled range of 700 kilometers—equivalent to driving from Cornwall to Newcastle.
Unlike conventional artillery systems that require halting to stabilize and set up before firing, the RCH 155's "shoot-and-scoot" capability enables rapid strikes followed by immediate relocation, significantly enhancing survivability against counter-battery fire. This design directly addresses tactical lessons from ongoing conflicts, where mobility has proven critical.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, emphasized the system's relevance to modern warfare: “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.” He further noted, “The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of being able to fire rapidly and move, and it is such lessons that are informing our procurement decisions and helping us deliver on the Strategic Defence Review.”
The RCH 155 is positioned as the long-term solution for the British Army's Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme, aimed at replacing aging capabilities. Currently, Royal Artillery units operate 14 interim Archer 155mm systems acquired from Sweden as a stopgap after the UK donated its fleet of AS90 self-propelled guns to Ukraine in support of Kyiv's defense against Russian aggression.
This contract builds on the landmark Trinity House Agreement, signed in October 2024 between UK Defence Secretary John Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. That pact committed both nations—Europe's two largest defence spenders—to unprecedented levels of military cooperation across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains, including joint development of deep-precision strike capabilities and enhanced interoperability within NATO.
Edward Cutts, the British Army's Senior Responsible Owner for the Mobile Fires programme, described the RCH 155 as a “step-change in mobile artillery—combining devastating firepower with the ability to rapidly reposition.” He highlighted how the joint demonstrator initiative exemplifies the Trinity House Agreement's goals: “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.”
The selection of the RCH 155 for the MFP was announced in April 2024, following evaluations that prioritized wheeled mobility, platform commonality with the UK's growing Boxer fleet (over 600 vehicles on order), and rapid deployability. Integration with the Boxer chassis ensures logistical synergies, as the UK is already producing Boxer variants domestically through a joint venture involving Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land.
Germany has already committed to procuring 84 RCH 155 systems for the Bundeswehr, underscoring shared confidence in the platform. The joint ECD phase is expected to inform full-rate production decisions, with hopes expressed by UK officials for the system to enter service within this decade.
This procurement occurs amid heightened European security concerns, driven by Russia's protracted war in Ukraine and broader geopolitical tensions. Artillery has emerged as a decisive factor in the conflict, with high rates of fire, precision, and survivability proving essential. The UK's investment aligns with NATO commitments to bolster deterrence, while the bilateral nature of the deal strengthens the European pillar of the alliance.
Industry benefits are also notable: components will involve over 100 UK-based suppliers, supporting jobs and reinvigorating domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, including potential future assembly lines.
As testing progresses, the RCH 155 is poised to enhance NATO's collective artillery posture, offering greater lethality, mobility, and resilience on contested battlefields.
