UK MoD to equip British Army with 14 Archer artillery systems from Sweden
The Archer artillery system is more mobile and can fire further than the British Army's current fleet of AS90 guns. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The UK is procuring 14 Archers from Sweden for now; however, this number could grow in future.
The UK MoD, on 16 March, announced the British Army would receive 14 Archer artillery systems this month to replace AS90 guns donated to Ukraine under a deal with Sweden.
Shephard understands the UK is also exploring the potential of subsequent purchases from Sweden.
According to the MoD, the guns will be operational by next April.
Related Articles
Eurosatory 2022: Sweden receives final batch of Archers and plans to order more
Guns aplenty as British Army accelerates plans for new artillery
UK set to acquire Archer for interim artillery requirement
Shephard exclusively reported on 13 March that an announcement of the deal to equip the British Army with the BAE Systems Bofors-built guns was soon to be announced.
When delivered, these will provide the Royal Artillery (RA) with an interim capability alongside its remaining AS90 guns until the UK procures a new system under the accelerated Mobile Fires Platform project.
The Archers will come from Swedish Army stocks and use a Volvo 6x6 all-terrain chassis.
Archer requires a crew of three to four operators, less than that needed to operate an AS90.
The wheeled system can also reach 70km/h, compared to the AS90's 53km/h.
The British Army has likely opted for mobility over protection due to lessons from the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Archer features a fully automated, self-propelled 155mm gun with a firing range of 50km using extended-range ammunition – double that of the AS90.
Archer is also a contender for MFP, with a spokesperson for BAE Systems previously confirming to Shephard that the SPH had been offered for that programme.
Other contenders for MFP include Team Thunder – offering the K9A2 SPH, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann with its Boxer RCH155, France's Nexter with Caesar and Rheinmetall with an HX3 truck-based system.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?]()
Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?
Manufacturers are speeding up their counter-drone development efforts as countries increasingly focus on procurements to provide battlefield and national protection.
-
![Fourth company looks to Texelis Celeris chassis to develop a new 4x4 vehicle]()
Fourth company looks to Texelis Celeris chassis to develop a new 4x4 vehicle
Finnish company SCATA will use the Texelis Celeris chassis for a new vehicle similar to the Serval 4x4 which Texelis is building with KNDS France for the French Army.
-
![Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers]()
Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers
The attack drone threat from first-person view uncrewed aerial systems has been highlighted by recent conflicts and Thales has adapted its Storm 2 counter-improvised explosive device jammer to provide protection.
-
![Rolls-Royce to lead powertrain development for MGCS in important step for the programme]()
Rolls-Royce to lead powertrain development for MGCS in important step for the programme
The move signals significant progress for the delayed Franco-German Main Ground Combat System programme with first powerpack prototypes set to be tested before the end of the decade.
