No dates or numbers for RCH 155 artillery

The Ministry of Defence has declined to provide planned in-service dates or total numbers for the Army’s future RCH 155 wheeled artillery system, stating that the programme remains in its assessment phase and has yet to reach contract. Responding to questions from MPs, defence minister Luke Pollard said the Mobile Fires Platform programme, which will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm mounted on the Boxer vehicle, has not yet progressed far enough to allow confirmation of initial or full operating capability dates.

“The Mobile Fires Platform Project… remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract,” Pollard said, adding that it is “too early to confirm platform numbers, delivery timelines and expected in-service dates.”

The response also rules out any current disclosure of how many RCH 155 systems the Army ultimately intends to procure, with the MOD stressing that analysis of future equipment fielding is still underway. While declining to provide firm commitments, Pollard confirmed that two RCH 155 systems have already been purchased and are being used to support further testing and evaluation.

“We are making good progress however with the purchase of two of these systems which are undergoing further testing,” he told Parliament. The RCH 155, developed by KNDS, is intended to provide the British Army with a highly mobile 155mm artillery capability following the donation of AS90 howitzers to Ukraine.