The UK and Germany have signed a £52 million contract to jointly procure a new generation of mobile artillery, deepening defence cooperation between the two

NATO allies.

Under the agreement, Britain will receive an Early Capability Demonstrator of the RCH 155 artillery system, with two additional platforms delivered to Germany for joint testing and evaluation. The deal accelerates delivery timelines while cutting costs through shared testing, data and facilities.

Capable of firing while on the move at speeds of up to 100km/h, the RCH 155 can strike targets up to 70km away and operate with a crew of just two thanks to advanced automation. Mounted on a BOXER armoured vehicle, the system can fire in any direction without repositioning and travel up to 700km without refuelling.

The procurement marks a significant step in implementing the Trinity House Agreement, a landmark UK-Germany defence pact signed in October 2024 that committed both countries to closer military collaboration.

For the British Army, the RCH 155 is intended as a long-term replacement under the Mobile Fires Platform programme. It follows the interim use of 14 Archer artillery systems, introduced after AS90 guns were donated to Ukraine.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said: “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.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of being able to fire rapidly and move, and it is such lessons that are informing our procurement decisions and helping us deliver on the Strategic Defence Review”.

Edward Cutts, Senior Responsible Owner of Mobile Fires in the Army, said: “This joint demonstrator programme exemplifies the strength and ambition of the Trinity House Agreement. By working hand-in-hand with Germany, we’re not only accelerating the delivery of world-class artillery capability for the British Army, but doing so more efficiently and cost-effectively than either nation could achieve alone.

The RCH 155 represents a step-change in mobile artillery – combining devastating firepower with the ability to rapidly reposition. This collaboration ensures our soldiers will be equipped with cutting-edge technology whilst strengthening the interoperability between UK and German forces that is vital to NATO’s collective defence”.

The agreement also supports the government’s Strategic Defence Review by sustaining skilled jobs across the UK defence industry and reinforcing NATO’s collective defence as global security threats continue to evolve.