BAE Systems coalition aims to bring barrel manufacture back to UK

A coalition of BAE Systems, Babcock and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has been formed to bid for the UK’s Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) which will replace aging AS90 howitzers. Major hurdles face the alliance, however, not least that the UK has no local barrel manufacturer.

The Archer Artillery Alliance has been looking to make a bid to replace the AS90 155mm/39cal SPH, of which 179 have been supplied since 1992, but over the years numbers have been reduced in line with the shrinking size of the Royal Artillery.

To plug a capability gap of systems supplied to Ukraine, 14 BAE Systems Bofors Archer 155mm SP guns based on a Volvo 6x6 chassis were ordered from Swedish stocks and delivery has begun. This will be sufficient for two batteries of six and two for training. These will be due to be operational from April 2024.

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The Hanwha K9A2 Thunder 155mm/52cal tracked self-propelled howitzer (SPH) and the KMW Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH 155) mounted on the rear of the ARTEC Boxer 8x8, which has already been in production for the UK for other roles, will also likely be contenders.

In addition to BAE Systems, Hanwha and KMW there has been another potential contender in the shape of the Elbit/Rheinmetall automated 155mm/52cal SP artillery system which is currently based on a US Oshkosh 10x10 platform. Rheinmetall joining Archer, however, would make such a teaming unlikely.

Within Archer, BAE Systems will provide and integrate the weapon system, including the barrel, as well as the gun control system.

In addition, BAE Systems will set up and manage an assembly, integration and test facility. Babcock International Group will hold responsibility for the consolidation of the superstructure and ammunition resupply system, sharing its significant manufacturing and maintenance capabilities.

Archer for the British Army under MFP would have a Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) HX series 8x8 truck which has already been deployed by UK.

BAE Systems stated it ‘plans to re-establish sovereign barrel manufacturing in the UK, which would provide an opportunity to generate operational independence and security of supply’ but it has not been made clear whether the 155 mm/52 cal barrel has been certified NATO Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU) compliant.

Barrel manufacture originally took place at Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Nottingham before it was closed and moved to an Armament Production Facility (APF) in Barrow-in-Furness which was shut down before any 155mm artillery or 120mm rifled tank barrels were manufactured.