Germany Delivers First Wheeled 155 Howitzers to Ukraine for Artillery Enhancement

On January 13, Germany handed over the first of 54 RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. The delivery took place in Kassel, at the Rheinmetall plant, where the artillery systems are produced.

According to Stuttgarter Zeitung, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius officially transferred the weapon to Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev. The first unit will be used to train Ukrainian crews in Germany. Pistorius emphasized that Germany is committed to supporting Ukraine.

Initially, Ukraine had planned to purchase 18 RCH 155 systems in 2022, but the order later expanded to 36 and, eventually, to 54 units. Due to production delays at Rheinmetall, the first deliveries were postponed. Additionally, the United Kingdom has also placed orders for the RCH 155.

The first six units will remain in Germany to facilitate the training of Ukrainian soldiers. In the future, the RCH 155 will be deployed as part of both Ukrainian and German artillery forces.

What is the RCH 155?

The RCH 155 is a state-of-the-art 155mm self-propelled howitzer mounted on an 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle. Designed for high mobility, the artillery system is capable of firing while in motion, which enhances its operational flexibility in dynamic battlefield environments.

One of its key features is the remotely operated turret, allowing for significant reduction in crew size and increasing efficiency. The RCH 155 is highly automated, requiring only two personnel for operation, further optimizing its use in combat situations.

The system’s advanced design is the product of KNDS, a company formed through the merger of Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and France’s Nexter. The RCH 155 is marketed as the world’s most modern wheeled howitzer, ideal for rapid deployment and quick mobilization in various military operations.

Earlier, Germany’s Rheinmetall delivered its first KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) to Ukraine, with the vehicle arriving in late 2024. The Lynx is currently undergoing testing by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, marking the beginning of serial orders for additional units. This delivery follows an agreement between Rheinmetall and Ukraine to supply several hundred Lynx vehicles, with plans for local production and ongoing collaboration in the coming years.