British Army Enhances Artillery Capabilities with Completion of Archer Self-Propelled Howitzer Acquisition

The British Army has completed the acceptance of all 14 Archer self-propelled howitzers, marking a significant milestone in enhancing its 155mm Close Support artillery capability. The final 10 units, delivered from Sweden, were promptly integrated into the British artillery arsenal following a swift delivery process. This acquisition comes as a response to the UK’s previous transfer of 32 AS90 self-propelled guns to the Ukrainian armed forces, necessitating an interim solution until the arrival of the Remote Controlled Howitzer. The Archer’s design and performance make it an invaluable asset for counter-battery operations. Its ability to fire multiple rounds and relocate before the enemy’s first shell lands minimizes the risk of detection, enhancing the survivability and effectiveness of British artillery units on the modern battlefield.

The Archer FH77BW L52 (Artillerisystem 08) is a Swedish self-propelled howitzer system.The main piece of the system is a fully automated 155 mm L52 (52-calibre-long) gun-howitzer and a M151 Protector remote-controlled weapon station mounted on a modified 6×6 chassis of the Volvo A30D all-terrain articulated hauler. Manufactured by BAE Systems Bofors, the Archer artillery system stands out due to its exceptional mobility, rapid deployment, and formidable firepower. Equipped with an automatic-loading 155mm gun, the Archer can engage targets with remarkable speed and precision. The system’s design allows it to move and fire before the enemy can react, significantly reducing the risk of detection and counter-battery strikes.

Colonel Stu Nassé, Assistant Head Military Capability Delivery in the Army HQ said: “This acceptance marks the completion of the initial acquisition of the 14 Archers and is a significant milestone. The essential – but challenging – work to turn this into a full capability continues at pace with proactive collaboration between the Royal Artillery, Army HQ and DE&S. Archer is an exciting project to be a part of and will deliver a world-class capability in record time.”

Mark Bunyan, FIMS Team Leader at DE&S, said: “Striking the balance between power and mobility by featuring long-range precision, fast deployment time and a protected environment for the crew, the Archer provides the British Army with a highly capable artillery system to ensure we minimise any capability gap between gifting our AS90s and acquiring our long-term Boxer-based artillery solution.”

The Archer boasts a maximum range of 50 kilometers when utilizing Excalibur-guided extended-range artillery projectiles. It can fire three high-powered rounds within 40 seconds, a testament to its impressive rate of fire. During testing, the Archer demonstrated its ability to be combat-ready within 14 seconds and to fire its first round within 23 seconds, showcasing its rapid response capability. The British Army plans to put the Archer through its paces during Exercise Dynamic Front in November, where it will conduct live-fire exercises to demonstrate its capabilities. With the completion of the Archer acquisition, the British Army has significantly bolstered its artillery strength, ensuring a robust and responsive artillery capability for future operations.

One of the Archer’s most notable features is its superior mobility, facilitated by its 6×6 Volvo A30D all-terrain articulated hauler chassis. This mobility, combined with its ability to fire and relocate swiftly, makes it a challenging target for enemy forces. The system’s crew and engine compartments are armored, and the cab is equipped with bullet and fragmentation-resistant windows, ensuring the safety of its three-person crew. Notably, the Archer can also be operated by a single person if required. In addition to the howitzer, the Archer artillery system includes an ammunition resupply vehicle, a support vehicle, Bonus submunitions, and M982 Excalibur guided projectiles. This comprehensive setup enhances its operational effectiveness and logistical support in various combat scenarios.

The Archer system was one of the contenders for the British Army’s Mobile Fires Platform program. The variant offered was based on the Rheinmetall HX2 8×8 truck. As of December 2023, Babcock and Rheinmetall UK formally joined forces with BAE Bofors to pitch the Archer to the British Army. Among the competitors, there were: CAESAR (Nexter), the RCH-155 (KMW), the K9 Thunder (Hanwha Aerospace and Lockheed Martin) and the ATI (Artillery Truck Interface, a module based on a HX3 10×10, made by Rheinmetall) which could eventually use a 155 L/60 calibre.
In April 2024, a defence agreement was reached between Germany and the United Kingdom, and the choice to purchase the RCH-155 was made.