The United Kingdom and Germany have signed a £52-million ($70.1-million) joint procurement agreement to advance a next-generation artillery system capable of firing on the move and striking targets at ranges exceeding 70 kilometers. The deal focuses on the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm (RCH 155), a highly automated artillery platform designed for modern high-tempo operations.
Under the agreement, the British Army will receive an early RCH 155 prototype, while two additional systems will be delivered to Germany for joint trials and evaluation. Officials from both governments said the collaborative testing program will strengthen NATO interoperability, enhance collective defense, and accelerate fielding timelines by sharing facilities, data, and technical expertise.
The joint effort follows Germany’s recent €1.2-billion ($1.4-billion) contract with Artec, the KNDS-Rheinmetall joint venture, for 84 RCH 155 systems. That deal is part of a broader framework allowing procurement of up to 500 howitzers by Germany and partner nations, reinforcing the platform’s role in Europe’s artillery modernization drive.
Mounted on the Boxer armored vehicle, the RCH 155 can fire up to eight rounds per minute while maneuvering at speeds of 100 km/h, engage targets in any direction without repositioning, and operate with a two-soldier crew thanks to advanced automation. The UK plans to adopt the RCH 155 as its future Mobile Fires Platform, replacing interim Archer systems introduced after Britain transferred AS90 howitzers to Ukraine.
