500 new UK jobs as artillery gun deal with Germany signed – worth £1bn | UK | News
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has announced the purchase of 72 Remote Controlled Howitzers as it continues its bid to rearm the army. The nearly £1bn contract for modern weapons capable of firing eight rounds per minute at targets up to 70 kilometers away could see the creation of up to 500 jobs in the UK.
The turret’s advanced automation allows the platform to be operated by just two soldiers at the push of a button from the crew compartment, instead of four in the Archer system currently in use. Defense Secretary John Healey MP said: “This major investment delivers defense services to the battlefield and to the British economy.
“By securing next-generation artillery with Germany, we are not only rearming to strengthen NATO against growing Russian aggression, but we are also creating high-skilled jobs here in Britain.
“This is what we mean when we say defense is the engine of growth – investment in our security that powers new businesses across our country.”
The RCH 155, which will be developed by German defense company Rheinmetall, is mounted on the BOXER chassis and can be redeployed at speeds of up to 100 km per hour, making it difficult for competitors to target.
First deliveries of RCH 155 vehicles are expected in 2028, reaching minimum deployable capacity later this decade.
The MOD says it expects the majority of the weapons system to be produced in the UK, which will provide a significant boost to British workers.
A spokesman said: “The weapon systems (barrel, breech, recoil system and trunnions) will be produced at Rheinmetall’s large-caliber production Telford facility. “Rheinmetall is set to use British steel supplied by Sheffield Forgemasters, supporting the UK Steel Strategy, which recognizes that steel is fundamental to UK industry and national resilience.
“The BOXER drive model (chassis, engine, drivetrain) on which the weapon system is based will be manufactured by KNDS UK in Stockport and will support 100 skilled jobs in Stockport as well as maintaining a critical supply of armored steel in the UK.
“Together the program is expected to support the creation of 100 new skilled jobs at Rheinmetall’s Telford site, support 100 jobs at KNDS Stockport and support 300 jobs across the UK’s wider supply chain.”
The purchase was praised as the first step in replenishing dwindling stocks after vital equipment was sent to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia.
Lieutenant General Simon Hamilton, deputy chief of staff, said: “Britain responded to the call for assistance by providing artillery systems to Ukraine at the beginning of the war. We knew this meant the vulnerability and risk to our fighting capability.”
