The United Kingdom and Germany have signed a £52-million joint procurement contract to acquire and evaluate the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155), marking a significant step in bilateral defense cooperation and artillery modernization. Under the agreement, the UK will receive one early prototype while Germany will field two systems, enabling shared testing, operational analysis, and data exchange. Mounted on the Boxer armored vehicle, the RCH 155 combines high mobility with automated firepower, allowing it to fire while on the move and strike targets at ranges exceeding 70 kilometers using extended-range ammunition. Automation reduces crew requirements to two personnel while enabling rapid shoot-and-scoot operations that enhance survivability against counter-battery threats. The program supports NATO interoperability and accelerates procurement timelines while reducing costs through shared resources. The UK plans to adopt the RCH 155 as its long-term Mobile Fires Platform, replacing interim artillery solutions and strengthening land-based precision fires within the alliance.
