DÜSSELDORF, Germany — Rheinmetall has secured a contract to supply the core weapon systems for 72 RCH 155 wheeled howitzers ordered by the British Army under the United Kingdom's joint artillery modernization programme with Germany.
The supply contract, awarded in the second quarter of 2026, is valued in the low three-digit million-euro range. It follows the UK's order for 72 RCH 155 systems announced in May 2026, with the overall acquisition valued at nearly £1 billion, including initial training and in-service support.
OCCAR Managing Joint UK-Germany Programme
The procurement is being carried out through the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), which awarded the main contract to ARTEC GmbH, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland. Both companies are participating in the programme as subcontractors.
The programme is part of the broader UK-Germany defence cooperation established under the Trinity House Agreement, signed in 2024, which aims to strengthen defence collaboration and improve interoperability between the two countries and within NATO.
Rheinmetall to Manufacture Key Weapon Systems in the UK
Germany and the United Kingdom are currently qualifying the 155 mm L/52 remote-controlled weapon system for service with both armies.
Once the qualification process is complete, Rheinmetall will supply 72 elevating masses together with associated onboard tools. The company will also produce training materials and technical documentation to support the introduction of the new artillery systems.
Manufacturing of the weapon systems—including the barrel, breech, recoil system, and trunnions—will take place at Rheinmetall's new gun production facility in Telford, United Kingdom, which is being brought into service in phases.
Deliveries of the weapon systems are scheduled from May 2028 through June 2031.
In support of the UK's domestic defence industry, Rheinmetall plans to manufacture the gun barrels using British steel supplied by Sheffield Forgemasters.
UK Production to Support Hundreds of Jobs
The programme also includes significant manufacturing work within the United Kingdom.
KNDS UK will produce the BOXER drive modules, including the chassis, engine, and drivetrain, at its facility in Stockport.
According to Rheinmetall, the programme is expected to support at least 500 jobs across the UK, including 100 new skilled positions in Telford, 100 jobs in Stockport, and approximately 300 roles across the wider British supply chain.
RCH 155 to Replace AS90 Artillery
The RCH 155 combines the GTK Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle with an automated artillery module derived from the Panzerhaubitze 2000.
The system is equipped with an unmanned, fully automated turret housing a 155 mm gun, allowing it to be operated by a crew of two soldiers from within the protected drive module.
The wheeled howitzer is capable of travelling at speeds of up to 100 km/h and can fire while moving, providing greater mobility during operations. It can fire up to eight rounds per minute with a maximum range of up to 70 km, depending on the ammunition used.
The British Army is acquiring the RCH 155 to replace the AS90 self-propelled howitzers transferred to Ukraine in 2023. The system is also expected to eventually replace the Army's interim Archer capability.
Deliveries Begin in 2028
Deliveries of the complete RCH 155 systems to the British Army are scheduled to begin in 2028.
Alongside the UK programme, Rheinmetall is continuing to expand its production capacity for 155 mm weapons and ammunition as part of its broader manufacturing activities across Europe.
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