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
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy]()
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
![Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax]()
Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.
-
![Canada looking to expedite purchase of armoured fighting vehicle and a new tank]()
Canada looking to expedite purchase of armoured fighting vehicle and a new tank
Canada is improving its Leopard main battle tank fleet but before this is fully completed, it is expected to begin looking for new vehicles.
-
![Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (podcast)]()
Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (podcast)
A surge in aerial threats – from advanced missiles to low-cost drones – is reshaping the way militaries approach air defence, driving demand for flexible, multi-layered solutions.
-
![UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3]()
UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3
In a bid to accelerate delivery of the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank, which has just carried out its first crewed firings with the latest Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, the UK has opted for an unconventional approach.
