UK Germany Mobile Artillery Deal
Britain and Germany have signed a joint procurement contract worth 52 million pounds (about 70 million US) to acquire mobile artillery systems under a shared program. The joint artillery deal covers advanced self-propelled guns that can fire while moving and extend land forces firepower at long range.
Under the agreement, the British Army will receive an early capability demonstrator of the RCH 155 mobile artillery system, and Germany will take delivery of two units for testing and evaluation. The contract reflects deeper defense cooperation between the two nations within NATO.
The artillery systems are built by the Franco-German defense consortium KNDS in partnership with Rheinmetall. The RCH 155 platform mounts a 155 mm gun on a wheeled armored chassis designed for high mobility. It can fire more than eight rounds per minute on the move, operate with a crew of two, and travel up to 700 kilometers without refueling.
Program and Capability
This UK Germany mobile artillery deal provides capabilities beyond traditional towed or static guns. The RCH 155 design allows forces to shoot and relocate without stopping, a feature aimed at reducing vulnerability to counter-battery fire and maintaining tempo in fast-paced combat environments.
The demonstrator phase will let both armies share test data and operational insights as they assess integration with existing command and control systems and allied interoperability.
Strategic Context
The procurement falls under broader UK-Germany defense cooperation, including the Trinity House agreement signed in 2024 that set a framework for joint capability development and procurement across multiple domains.
Officials have said lessons from recent conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine, informed the emphasis on mobile, long-range artillery that can fire on the move and offer responsive fire support for maneuvering forces.
What Comes Next
Both services will begin operational tests and evaluations with the demonstrator units. The UK sees the RCH 155 as part of its longer-term Mobile Fires Platform program, replacing interim systems and enhancing artillery reach and agility. GOV.UK
The German Army will use its test units to inform future procurement decisions and integration with Bundeswehr force structures. As testing progresses, both partners may explore options for expanded orders to meet NATO land force needs.
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