The British Army is set to acquire 72 Remote Controlled Howitzers (RCH 155) through a significant £1 billion investment, marking a substantial upgrade in its artillery capabilities. This procurement fulfills the UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement and is projected to create or sustain at least 500 British jobs, particularly at Rheinmetall’s Telford facility and KNDS Stockport. Furthermore, Rheinmetall intends to utilize British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters, thereby reinforcing the UK’s defence industrial base and supporting its national Steel Strategy.
The nearly £1 billion contract for the 72 RCH 155 howitzers, encompassing initial training and in-service support, was awarded by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) to ARTEC GmbH, a joint venture between KNDS and Rheinmetall, on behalf of the British Army. Key components of the weapon system, including the barrel, breech, recoil system, and trunnions, will be manufactured at Rheinmetall’s large-calibre production facility in Telford. Rheinmetall’s commitment to sourcing British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters underscores the UK Steel Strategy, which highlights steel’s vital role in national industry and resilience. Additionally, KNDS UK in Stockport will produce the BOXER drive module – comprising the chassis, engine, and drivetrain – crucial for supporting the weapon system. This will maintain vital armoured steel welding capabilities in Britain and secure 100 skilled jobs in Stockport. Overall, the program is expected to generate 100 new skilled jobs at Rheinmetall’s Telford facility, support 100 jobs at KNDS Stockport, and create an additional 300 jobs across the broader UK supply chain. This initiative also reinforces the Trinity House Agreement by fostering UK-German collaboration and enhancing interoperability among Allied forces.
Mounted on a BOXER chassis, the RCH 155 can achieve speeds of up to 100 km/h, enhancing its evasion capabilities against enemy targeting. Its highly automated turret allows for operation by just two soldiers from the crew compartment. Initial deliveries of the RCH 155 are anticipated in 2028, aiming for minimal deployable capability within the current decade. This latest contract builds upon previous agreements, including a £52 million Early Capability Demonstrator contract signed in December 2025 and a £53 million Long Lead Item procurement contract earlier this year, both of which contributed to the establishment of Rheinmetall’s large calibre gun manufacturing facility in Telford.
Rheinmetall’s plan to utilize British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters leverages a facility that employs 720 skilled personnel and produces specialized steel components for vital defence programs. Last year, the government invested over £420 million in Sheffield Forgemasters, significantly enhancing the UK’s sovereign steelmaking capacity for defence applications, including gun barrels and nuclear submarines. The RCH 155 will replace the AS90 artillery systems that were donated to Ukraine in 2023. Until the RCH 155 becomes operational, the Archer artillery system will continue to serve as an interim capability.
This joint RCH 155 procurement between the UK and Germany is a direct outcome of the Trinity House Agreement, signed in October 2024. This agreement aims to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, leveraging the combined test and evaluation capabilities of both nations to achieve faster and more cost-effective deliveries. It is also designed to enhance interoperability among Allied forces and bolster NATO’s collective defence, particularly on its eastern flank. Crucially, the investment provides substantial industrial benefits for Britain, securing jobs for the skilled workforce involved in manufacturing and maintaining these systems. This initiative aligns with the Strategic Defence Review’s objective of positioning defence as an engine for economic growth and supports the Army’s ambition to achieve a tenfold increase in lethality within the next decade.
Source link
