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Germany and the United Kingdom signed a deal on December 28, 2025, to jointly procure advanced mobile artillery systems under a contract valued at more than $70 million (£52 million).

The agreement reflects a broader push by both governments to enhance long-range firepower, interoperability within NATO, and rapid-response capabilities in light of a deteriorating European security environment.

The deal centers on the acquisition of the RCH 155 remote-controlled howitzer, a highly mobile artillery system mounted on an armored vehicle platform. The system is designed to fire while on the move, strike targets at distances exceeding 70 kilometers, and relocate quickly to avoid counter-battery fire. Media reports and official statements indicate the total value of the joint procurement is approximately $70 million.

Under the initial phase of the contract, the British Army will receive an Early Capability Demonstrator of the RCH 155 system. Germany, meanwhile, will take delivery of two systems for testing and evaluation purposes. The platforms will be used to assess performance, refine operational concepts, and share technical data between the two armed forces.

We’ve signed a £52 million defence contract with Germany that equips our Armed Forces with cutting-edge technology. 🇬🇧🤝🇩🇪

The RCH 155 artillery system can fire up to 8 rounds per minute on the move and strike targets 70km away.

Read more 👇https://t.co/pgsgz8K89Q pic.twitter.com/2uxfGX8L3F

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 28, 2025

According to defense officials, the joint approach allows both countries to accelerate procurement timelines while reducing overall costs. By pooling resources and harmonizing requirements, Berlin and London aim to avoid duplication and ensure that future artillery capabilities are compatible across forces.

The RCH 155 is being manufactured by the Franco-German defense group KNDS, working in cooperation with Rheinmetall. The system is mounted on the BOXER armored vehicle, which is already in service with multiple NATO members, further enhancing interoperability.

Capabilities of the RCH 155 System

The RCH 155 represents a departure from traditional towed or static self-propelled artillery. It can fire up to eight rounds per minute, operate with a crew of just two soldiers due to a high level of automation, and engage targets in any direction without repositioning the vehicle. The platform can travel up to 700 kilometers without refueling and reach road speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour.

Unlike conventional artillery that must halt and stabilize before firing, the RCH 155 can engage targets while moving. This capability significantly reduces vulnerability to enemy detection and returns fire, a lesson drawn directly from recent battlefield experience in Ukraine.

British defense officials have described the system as a long-term solution for the Army’s Mobile Fires Platform requirement. It is expected to replace legacy artillery systems and complement interim solutions currently in service.

Strategic Context and Long-Range Strike Cooperation

The artillery deal builds on a broader framework of military cooperation between Germany and the UK. In May, both countries agreed to move forward with the joint development of a long-range precision weapon designed to enable deep precision strikes against targets far behind enemy lines.

This long-range weapon project is intended to provide both forces with the ability to strike critical infrastructure, command nodes, and logistics hubs at extended distances. Officials have described it as a strategic response to the evolving threat environment in Europe, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Together, the artillery procurement and the long-range strike initiative form the backbone of a new phase in German-British defense cooperation, focused on modern, high-intensity conflict scenarios.

Trinity House Agreement and NATO Interoperability

The cooperation is underpinned by the Trinity House Agreement, a bilateral defense framework signed in October 2024. The agreement commits both countries to closer collaboration across procurement, training, capability development, and operational planning.

In addition to artillery and long-range weapons, Germany and the UK have agreed to intensify cooperation in areas such as anti-submarine warfare. Officials on both sides have emphasized that these efforts are aimed at strengthening NATO’s collective defense posture rather than creating parallel structures outside the alliance.

By developing and testing systems jointly, the two militaries aim to ensure that their forces can operate seamlessly together in future NATO operations.

Speaking during a meeting in Berlin with his British counterpart John Healey, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the artillery project as a direct response to the changed security situation in Europe. He said the cooperation reflected a shared assessment of emerging threats and the need for credible deterrence.

Healey, for his part, said the security partnership between the UK and Germany was closer than ever. He emphasized that defense cooperation not only strengthens military capabilities but also provides economic benefits by stimulating investment and supporting skilled jobs in the defense sector.

UK officials have highlighted that the procurement aligns with the country’s Strategic Defense Review, which prioritizes mobility, survivability, and long-range firepower. The review draws heavily on lessons from Ukraine, where the ability to fire rapidly and relocate has proven decisive.

Luke Pollard, Minister for Defense Readiness and Industry, said, “The British Army will soon have new artillery that can fire on the move. This builds on lessons from Ukraine, enabling our Army to hit targets 70km away and move fast away from returning fire so they can fire again.”

Cost, Value, and Industrial Impact

While figures cited publicly vary, UK officials have described their portion of the agreement as equivalent to roughly 52 million US dollars, while the overall joint contract is valued at around 72 million US dollars. As part of the deal, both countries will share test facilities, operational data, and evaluation results.

Officials argue this approach delivers better value for taxpayers by spreading development costs and avoiding a parallel national program. The agreement is also expected to support jobs across the European defense industry, particularly within companies involved in vehicle integration, automation, and fire-control systems.

Edward Cutts, Senior Responsible Owner of Mobile Fires in the British Army, said the joint demonstrator program exemplified the ambition of the Trinity House Agreement and would deliver world-class capability more efficiently than either nation could achieve alone.

The joint artillery procurement highlights a growing trend among European allies toward deeper bilateral defense cooperation. As defense budgets rise across Europe, governments are increasingly seeking collaborative solutions to accelerate capability delivery and reinforce deterrence.

For Germany and the UK, the RCH 155 program is both a practical capability upgrade and a political signal. It underscores a shared commitment to NATO, a common assessment of the threat environment, and a willingness to invest jointly in advanced military technologies as global security challenges continue to intensify.