Swedish next-gen 155mm Archer SPHs might be delivered to Ukraine
STOCKHOLM ($1=10.70 Swedish Kronas) — There is a possibility that Ukraine will receive new artillery. The Swedish Archer self-propelled howitzers were mentioned as such a possibility. The information comes directly from the Swedish Foreign Ministry.
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Ann Linde, head of the Swedish foreign ministry, said that Stockholm is considering the delivery of the 155mm Archer SPH and the RBS 70 MANPADS. Linde added that Sweden is preparing new military aid to Ukraine for SEK 500 million [approx. $46.7 million]. This aid mainly concerns the supply of shells for field artillery.
Linde’s statement does not mean that Sweden has decided to donate its flagship in field artillery. That decision is yet to be made, but Stockholm has agreed to consider supplying the 155mm Archer SPH to Ukraine.
Anne Linde spoke just days after Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Sweden to donate its famous self-propelled howitzers.
About 155mm/L52 Archer SPG
155mm/L52 Archer SPG was to increase the artillery capabilities of two Scandinavian countries – Norway and Sweden. The idea for a next-generation artillery gun was developed and manufactured by BAE Systems, but Norway later abandoned the 155mm/L52 Archer SPG and focused on acquiring South Korean K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. Thus, only Sweden remained the only system operator to date.
155mm/L52 Archer SPG is integrated on a 6×6 Volvo chassis and is powered by a single diesel engine, guaranteeing 320 horsepower of the entire artillery configuration. The suspension is solid axles, multilink, hydraulic suspension [called “independent suspension” by Volvo, meaning solid axles are not rigidly fixed to the frame]. 90 km/h is the maximum speed that the Archer SPG can reach. 650 km is the maximum distance that the artillery system travels with a full fuel tank.
Archer SPH’s cannon and projectiles
The main armament is a Swedish 155mm cannon FX77. The howitzer has secondary weapons for close combat protection: the Kongsberg Protector remote weapon system, with an integrated 12.7mm machine gun, smoke grenades, and the ability to fire anti-tank guided missiles [ATGM].
155mm/L52 Archer SPG is designed to work with various projectiles such as standard artillery shells with a range of 30 km, base-bleed artillery shells with a range of 40 km and gained popularity with its high range [60 km], combat effectiveness, and destructive capabilities M982 Excalibur projectiles. 155mm/L52 Archer SPG can fire between 8 and 9 artillery shells per minute of each type.
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