British Army Soldiers Conduct First Live Fire Exercise With Archer 6x6 155mm Howitzers in Sweden.

On February 15, 2024, the British Army announced a significant milestone achieved by its soldiers in Sweden: the successful completion of their first live firing exercise with the new Archer 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. This exercise marked the end of an intensive 14-week 'train the trainer' program conducted by The Swedish Artillery School, showcasing the culmination of rigorous training in the challenging conditions of Sweden's harsh Nordic climate.
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British army soldiers conduct the first live firing exercise in Sweden with an ARCHER 155mm 6x6 self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source British MoD)

For the first time, the British army soldiers carried out live-fire missions with ARCHER 6x6 155mm self-propelled howitzers and ammunition replenishment independently, without support from the Swedish Army. Transitioning from a tracked artillery system to the wheeled Archer presented its own set of challenges, emphasizing the need for re-education and adaptation to the new platform. The training, mirroring the comprehensive curriculum used to qualify Swedish instructors, was held in the demanding environment of Boden, Swedish Lapland.

Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Talbot-King, the Chief Instructor for the Training Delivery Wing at the Royal School of Artillery (RSA) in Larkhill, Wiltshire, observed the successful completion of the training package. He highlighted the significance of the collaboration with the Swedish School of Artillery, a partnership that has strengthened over the years and was further solidified through the training on the Archer system.

The British Army has entered into a contract to acquire the Archer howitzer, a Swedish-made 155mm artillery system developed by BAE Systems Bofors. This acquisition aims to fill the capability gap left by the UK's donation of AS90 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. A total of 14 Archer systems are initially being purchased as an urgent operational requirement, with the possibility of acquiring additional units being explored.

The acquisition of the Archer howitzer was a strategic move by the British Army to fill the capability gap left by the donation of 32 AS90 self-propelled guns to Ukraine. This interim solution includes not just the advanced artillery systems but also logistic support, ammunition, and a comprehensive support and training package, ensuring the British Army maintains its formidable 155mm Close Support capability.

The Archer artillery howitzer is known for its mobility, rapid deployment capability, and significantly longer range compared to the AS90. It can be operated by a crew of three or four, as opposed to the AS90’s five, and boasts a top speed of 70 kilometers per hour. The Archer's automated, self-propelled 155mm howitzer gun has a firing range of 50 kilometers using extended-range ammunition, which is a substantial increase over the AS90's 25-kilometer range. The system is designed for rapid deployment and can transition from moving to firing in just 20 seconds.

This procurement is part of the UK's broader effort to maintain its defense capabilities while supporting Ukraine. The first 14 Archer systems are expected to be operational with the British Army by April 2024, serving as an interim solution until the Mobile Fires Platform program delivers a new generation of artillery systems later in the decade.

The decision to acquire the Archer system reflects the UK's commitment to reinforcing its artillery capabilities in response to current operational requirements and its obligations under the NATO New Force Model. It also highlights the UK's strategy of working closely with European allies like Sweden to enhance its military capabilities.

Defense News February 2024