British Army’s Archer hits bullseye for capability and procurement
Archer self-propelled artillery is fired by troops from 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, during a live fire during Exercise Dynamic Front, Finland. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The Archer artillery system was rushed into service and training of British Army trainers began in October 2023 before live fire trials just over a year later.
Last month’s first live-fire exercise of the British Army’s Archer artillery system can be seen as a substantial success on several levels even if it occurred under exceptional circumstances as opposed to regular procurement and training.
The system is the army’s new self-propelled long-range fires platform. Rapidly procured to temporarily fill the capability gap created by the donation of the AS90 155mm gun to Ukraine, the first 14 systems are now in service.
Built by BAE Systems Bofors AB, the Swedish subsidiary of BAE Systems, Archer is a 155mm automatic self-propelled artillery system and in British Army service the gun
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Drone Summit turns spotlight on smaller companies and new uncrewed systems]()
Drone Summit turns spotlight on smaller companies and new uncrewed systems
The Drone Summit saw more than 100 companies from 20 countries, including Latvia, Australia, Canada and Israel, presenting uncrewed surveillance and attack platforms. The event came just weeks after drones, believed to be Russian, invaded Latvia’s airspace.
-
![Tactical connectivity built for contested environments]()
Tactical connectivity built for contested environments
Modern tactical operations depend on resilient connectivity that can survive congestion, jamming, and rapidly evolving electronic warfare.
-
![May land forces roundup: counter-drone systems move up the agenda]()
May land forces roundup: counter-drone systems move up the agenda
There has been a drive towards uncrewed aerial systems and defeating them in recent weeks, with NATO exercises addressing the danger, new systems unveiled and a new Latvian counter-drone unit stood up following recent incursions.
-
![Oshkosh to reoffer its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle as US Navy issues an RfI]()
Oshkosh to reoffer its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle as US Navy issues an RfI
Oshkosh Defense is positioning for a potential return to the JLTV programme after losing out to AM General in 2023, as the US Navy is considering options for 7,500 vehicles.
-
![US Marine Corps to expand on-the-move power capabilities with MRZR Alpha 5kW]()
US Marine Corps to expand on-the-move power capabilities with MRZR Alpha 5kW
The MRZR Alpha 5kW has been designed to charge multiple battlefield systems, including active defence systems, sensor arrays, onboard electronics, UAS and CUAS equipment, and other C5ISR capabilities. The platform can also power external loads such as a forward-operating tactical grid.
