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
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![Lockheed nets $4.9 billion US Army contract to build more precision strike missiles]()
Lockheed nets $4.9 billion US Army contract to build more precision strike missiles
The PrSM missiles, known as Increment 1 weapon systems, will eventually replace the US Army’s Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
-
![US Army to field first human-machine platoon in two years]()
US Army to field first human-machine platoon in two years
The Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office plans to deploy armoured and infantry platoon configurations around FY2027.
-
![Avalon 2025: Hanwha signs engine deal with Penske for Redback IFVs]()
Avalon 2025: Hanwha signs engine deal with Penske for Redback IFVs
Penske Australia will also carry out local assembly and testing of Allison X1100 series cross-drive transmission under licence using kits supplied by South Korea's SNT Dynamics.
-
![Ovzon trials UGV comms in Arctic conditions]()
Ovzon trials UGV comms in Arctic conditions
Swedish company showcases Arctic UGV test as it eyes NATO defence market expansion.
-
![US Army Project Convergence to evaluate CJADC2 in the Indo-Pacific theatre]()
US Army Project Convergence to evaluate CJADC2 in the Indo-Pacific theatre
As part of its experimentation campaign, the service will assess CJADC2 concepts and capabilities in challenging environments.
-
![Avalon 2025: Hanwha outlines tight schedule for Redback deliveries]()
Avalon 2025: Hanwha outlines tight schedule for Redback deliveries
The Hanwha Armoured vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) is a A$225 million (US$142 million) factory being built beside Avalon Airport near Melbourne, Australia, despite a substantial drop in the number of vehicles originally planned to be produced.
