OCCAR orders 72 RCH 155 SPHs for British Army
OCCAR has ordered 72 RCH 155 SPHs on behalf of the UK MoD to equip the British Army. (KNDS Deutschland)
The Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) has awarded KNDS-Rheinmetall joint venture Artec a contract on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for 72 Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH 155) 8x8 self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) for the British Army.
OCCAR confirmed to Janes on 15 May 2026, when it announced the contract on social media, that it had been signed on 30 April 2026. First announcing it in a press release late on 13 May 2026, the UK MoD valued the contract at nearly GBP1 billion (USD1.3 billion), including initial training and in-service support.
The ministry said the weapon systems – the barrel, breech, recoil system and trunnions (mounting points for attachment to the turret) – will be manufactured at Rheinmetall's new Gun Hall large-calibre production facility in Telford, using steel supplied by Sheffield Forgemasters. OCCAR added that the contract covers the delivery of the RCH 155 based on the new Boxer B0 drive module. The drive module, consisting of the chassis, engine, and drive train, will be manufactured by KNDS UK in Stockport, according to the UK MoD.
OCCAR noted that the RCH 155 integrates the unmanned Artillery Gun Module (AGM), designed to be operated by a crew of two. KNDS Deutschland said in a press release on 14 May that the AGM is based on that of the Panzerhaubitze (PzH) 2000 tracked SPH.
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