The British Army is set to receive 72 remote-controlled howitzers as part of a £1bn investment in defence. The RCH-155 guns, mounted on Boxer chassis, can fire eight rounds per minute at targets up to 70km away and redeploy at speeds of up to 100kmph, making them harder to target.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the platform can be operated by just two soldiers from a crew compartment at the push of a button. The guns will be manufactured in Britain by Rheinmetall and KNDS, supporting at least 500 jobs. Rheinmetall's Telford facility will produce key components using British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen Simon Hamilton, said the new guns mark the 'first significant milestone in replenishing' Britain's artillery after providing systems to Ukraine. Defence Secretary John Healey said the investment strengthens Nato against Russian aggression and creates skilled jobs in the UK.
The programme is part of the Trinity House Agreement, a UK-German collaboration established in October 2024. First deliveries of the RCH-155 are expected in 2028. The UK has committed to raising defence spending to 2.6% of GDP from 2027, amid calls from former defence chiefs for a target of 5% by 2035.
