U.K., Germany to Jointly Develop Fire-on-the-move Artillery

The U.K. and Germany have signed a £52 million joint contract to develop and test artillery that can fire while moving.

Under the deal, the U.K. will receive one Early Capability Demonstrator of the RCH 155 artillery system, while Germany will receive two platforms for joint testing. The procurement is being carried out under the Trinity House agreement signed in October 2024, which formalised closer military collaboration between the two NATO allies.

The RCH 155 is mounted on a Boxer armoured vehicle and is designed to fire up to eight rounds per minute while moving at speeds of up to 100 km/h. It is intended to engage targets at ranges of up to 70 km, operate with a two-person crew through automation, and travel up to 700 km without refuelling.

For the British Army, the RCH 155 is planned as the long-term solution for its Mobile Fires Platform requirement. The Army currently operates 14 Archer artillery systems, introduced as an interim replacement after AS90 self-propelled guns were donated to Ukraine.

U.K. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the system reflects battlefield lessons from Ukraine. “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 said. He added that the war has shown “the importance of being able to fire rapidly and move,” shaping procurement decisions under the Strategic Defence Review.

The contract includes shared test facilities and data between the two countries, which the U.K. Ministry of Defence said would shorten procurement timelines and reduce costs.