Britain's AS90 guns bow out early: The end of an era for army artillery
Great Britain's last training firing with the AS90 self-propelled guns was in early May 2024. The British Army plans to retire this equipment soon, though its future remains uncertain.
The British have announced plans to retire many weapons used by their army, including Challenger 2 tanks, smaller armoured vehicles, and valuable AS90 self-propelled artillery systems. These systems recently conducted their last training firing and are expected to be decommissioned in the coming months.
Weapons to be retired earlier than expected
According to Defense Express, the withdrawal of these guns was initially planned for 2030, "but in reality, it will happen a few years earlier." Analysts suggest that the British will use the AS90 to support their mission in Estonia as part of NATO operations. This means it may leave the army ranks even at the beginning of 2025.
"It seems equally likely that the British will simply store the AS90 vehicles or that these vehicles will be passed on to the Ukrainian armed forces," the report states. Additional AS90 howitzers would be a welcome support for the Ukrainians – especially given how extensively the defenders' army utilizes this equipment.
The AS90 Howitzer
The British have deployed AS90 howitzers for about 30 years, with the first units delivered in 1992. The system is powered by a Cummins VTA 903T-660 diesel engine, producing about 650 HP and achieving speeds of nearly 60 km/h. A full 750-litre fuel tank allows for a range of approximately 350 km.
The AS90's defence capabilities are highlighted by its 155 mm calibre and 39-calibre barrel in the crewed turret. The British weapon's projectiles can cover a distance of about 25 km, extendable to nearly 30 km with a rocket booster. The AS90 barrel can fire up to six projectiles a minute, with a peak firing rate of 3 shots every 10 seconds.
