The RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm) is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (now KNDS Deutschland).
The RCH 155 Module takes the firepower and the range of the PzH 2000 by using its gun (155 mm L/52), and combines it with an automated and remotely controlled gun module.
The intention of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann with this system was to create the ideal combination of artillery automation and protected wheeled mobility.
Origin
The RCH-155 module is very similar to the Artillery Gun Module (AGM, Artillerie-Geschütz-Modul), but has a lower profile. The AGM was designed to have the firepower of the PzH 2000 in an air-portable package with the A400M aircraft this was possible when installed on an ASCOD 2 platform, known as the DONAR.
In 2014 with interest in installing the AGM on the Boxer, questions arose regarding its capacity to meet this requirement. In 2021, KMW produced a modified variant of the AGM, the RCH 155. The RCH 155 has a turret with a significantly lower profile.
German selection
The German launched a programme for a future wheeled artillery system known as the "" (ZukSysIndF mRw, "Future System Indirect Fire Medium Range").
In October 2023, the RCH-155 was mentioned as the winner of the competition, as the option from Rheinmetall (Artillery Truck Interface) was still in development and not yet mature. The target back then was hopefully for 168 systems, realistically the budget was for 120 systems.
In December 2025, the Bundestag voted the budget for a framework agreement for 500 systems, more precisely:
- 4 prototypes (1 for the UK, 3 for Germany)
- Germany:
- 80 RCH-155 to be ordered in 2025
- 149 to be ordered in 2026
- 271 available for export at German price condition.
On 13 January 2025, Germany gave the first RCH 155 to Ukraine. KNDS will supply Ukraine with 54 RCH 155 wheeled howitzers, with the first six systems to be delivered in 2025.
Design
Special features
The RCH 155 is the world's first howitzer that can fire while in motion. This is mainly to avoid enemy counter-artillery fire, as modern counter-battery radars such as COBRA can be used to reconnoitre fire positions after firing in near real-time. The RCH 155 is able to use its gun in direct fire for self defense.
Its traverse and firing controls allow firing the gun at targets in the vicinity, such as an enemy tank, in a direct-fire, rather than indirect artillery mode.
Taken together, quick acquisition of target, direct-fire and "shoot-and-scoot" capabilities mean the RCH 155 could be considered to have a hunter-killer role similar to main battle tanks as it is able to quickly acquire targets in line-of-sight and prosecute them while on the move, or at least moving quickly out afterwards without remaining open to easy counter-fire. This capability, however, is for self-defence and is not its main role.
The RCH 155 is highly automated and is theorised to eventually be capable of operating entirely remotely.
Specifications
Production
Rheinmetall signed a contract in December 2025 for the delivery of the weapon system and the electronic system, worth around â¬1.2 billion for the 84 first systems ordered by Germany and the UK.
Operators
Current operators
(12)
In September 2024, it was reported that Germany has approved the sale of the RCH 155 for Qatar in exchange for 12 PzH 2000, which were transferred to Ukraine.
(54)
List of orders of Boxer RCH 155 ordered for the Ukrainian Ground Forces:
* 18 howitzers ordered on 17 September 2022, announced as a purchase from Ukraine through a German aid fund at a cost of â¬216 million.
* 18 howitzers ordered in February 2024, announced during the Munich Conference for Ukraine support, Germany added 18 additional RCH-155 to the planned support.
* 18 howitzers ordered as per an announcement in June 2024 by KNDS. It was revealed that the total of RCH 155 for Ukraine was increased to a total of 54, which implies that 18 additional RCH-155 had been ordered.
In January 2025, Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius symbolically consigned the first of a total of 54 RCH 155 to the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev. The first six of these systems will initially remain in Germany and be used to train Ukrainian soldiers.
Future operators
Prototypes (4 â 3 for Germany / 1 for the UK)
4 prototypes approved for order and ordered in December 2025 with ARTEC GmbH.
The contract between Germany and the UK for the prototype and the testing was signed in December 2025 for ã52 million.
(80)
Framework agreement approved by the German Budget Office for up to 500 RCH-155 in December 2025.
Firm orders planned:
* 80 in December 2025 (â¬1 billion), delivery for 2028-2030.
(37)
37 weapon systems ordered in March 2026 for ã53 million. The vehicles are likely to be taken from the 100 additional Boxer platforms secured in 2022.
This order is expected to only be a primary order.
Potential orders
Sales planned under the framework agreement for 500 systems:
* 149 for Germany in 2026 (â¬2 billion)
* 267 systems remaining in the framework agreement signed by Germany are planned for German allies, at the same German price conditions.
In August 2024, Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, announced that the Royal Netherlands Army showed interest in the system.
In April 2024, the UK selected the RCH-155 for the British Army's Mobile Fires Platform programme, as a successor for the AS-90.
The vehicles will be built in both Germany and the UK with over 100 UK-based suppliers manufacturing components. The platform will consist of the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) weapon module fitted to the rear half of the Boxer mechanised infantry vehicle (MIV) and will be in service with the Royal Artillery by the end of the decade.
* 72 to be delivered before 2030
* With the information provided, potentially, around 200âÂÂ240 could be purchased.
Similar howitzers
Footnotes
References
External links