Cutting-edge RCH 155 artillery poised to bolster Ukraine’s defence
Ukraine will receive the RCH 155 self-propelled artillery before the end of 2024. This weapon has not been used in combat by any army worldwide until now. We explain its capabilities.
According to the Army Recognition portal, the planned transfer has been confirmed by German General Christian Freuding. The statement about the RCH 155 is part of a video material that was published on the official Bundeswehr YouTube channel.
First RCH 155s to arrive in Ukraine soon
At the moment, it is unclear how large the first batch of RCH 155s to be sent to Ukraine before the end of this year will be. It will certainly not include all such systems, as earlier information had indicated that the Franco-German consortium KNDS would produce as many as 54 RCH 155 units for Ukraine.
This weapon should significantly strengthen the Ukrainians. The RCH 155 is a modern weapon with exceptional capabilities not offered by any other howitzer in the world. It is presented this way mainly because of its ability to fire while on the move, which is completely novel for this type of equipment. In this aspect, it also outperforms the Polish Krabs. Additionally, unlike most NATO artillery systems, the RCH 155 features wheeled (not tracked) propulsion.
What capabilities does the RCH 155 offer?
The designers have equipped it with a 155 mm calibre barrel with a length of 52 calibres. Besides the barrel, the turret accommodates a magazine for ammunition (30 rounds and propelling charges) and an auto-loader. When using standard ammunition, the crew can expect a firing range of up to approximately 25 miles (this will be greater with V-LAP shells). The rate of fire is estimated at nine rounds per minute.
Despite its length of over 33 feet and weight of about 43 tons, the RCH 155 is expected to have very good mobility. The 8x8 propulsion and powerful engine will provide, according to the designers, a maximum speed of up to 62 mph. For comparison, Polish Krabs reach around 43 mph. On a single tank of fuel, the RCH 155 can cover a distance of up to approximately 435 miles.
The Army Recognition portal noted that Ukrainian soldiers would be the first to test this highly automated artillery system in combat conditions. The effects of utilizing the RCH 155 against the Russians will likely be closely monitored by other countries that have expressed interest in acquiring the RCH 155 for their armies. Among the NATO artillery serving in Ukraine are the German PzH 2000, French CAESAR, and Polish AHS Krab.
