Germany supplies 18 RCH-155 barrelled artillery systems to Ukraine

By Boyko Nikolov

BERLIN ($1=1.00 Euro) — Ukraine expects a delivery from Germany of new artillery cannons. Kyiv has ordered 18 155mm RCH-155 barrelled artillery systems from Berlin. The RCH-155s are manufactured by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann [KMW] and Ukraine will pay for them through the security capacity-building fund.

See what the KMW RCH 155mm/52-cal 70km range howitzer looks like
Photo credit: Twitter

In addition to the RCH-155, the Ukrainian armed forces should receive more weapons from Germany in the coming weeks. Among them are one IRIS-T SLM Battery [To be delivered in December 2022], two 227mm M270 ‘MARS, four 155mm PzH 2000s, anti-tank missiles, drones, various armored vehicles, etc.

Although a purchase rather than a donation, the delivery of RCH-155 barrelled artillery systems represent the most advanced weapons system that Germany will supply to Ukraine since the start of the war. Just three months ago, the German manufacturer KMW presented its barrelled artillery at the international defense and security exhibition Eurosatory, Paris, France.

More about KMW RCH

KMW RCH 155mm/52-cal wheeled howitzer has a rather unusual shape, some would say funny, but when it comes to combat capability, the design is inferior to efficiency. Because the KMW RCH 155mm / 52-cal wheeled howitzer is a very serious weapon. Any weapon system based on the drawings of German weapons designers deserves respect.

See what the KMW RCH 155mm/52-cal 70km range howitzer looks like
Photo credit: Twitter

The KMW RCH 155mm/52-cal wheeled howitzer uses a Boxer chassis. This is a highly mobile maneuverable wheeled howitzer. Its speeds is up to 100 km / h on the road. With a single refueling of the tank, the distance of 700 km can be covered quite easily, although, according to the official specifications published by KMW, the distance is more than 700 km.

The length of this wheel howitzer is 10.5 meters, the height is 3.60 meters and the width reaches 2.99 meters. The engine is MTU and provides power up to 600kW which is equivalent to 804 horsepower.

RCH armament

The main weapon is a 155mm cannon model L52. Depending on the ammunition used, the effective operational range of the cannon is different: between 40 and 54 km if the howitzer fires V-LAP ammunition, and up to 70 km if it uses VULCANO ammunition. However, regardless of the type of ammunition KMW RCH 155mm/52-cal wheeled howitzer can fire 8 to 10 artillery rounds per minute.

See what the KMW RCH 155mm/52-cal 70km range howitzer looks like
Photo credit: Twitter

The KMW RCH 155mm/52-cal wheeled howitzer is operated by a two-man crew. This howitzer has an integrated unmanned aerial vehicle [Artillery Gun Module]. There is also ballistic protection, landmine protection, IED, and NBC protection.

KMW RCH 155mm/52-cal wheeled howitzer has autonomous navigation and fire control. All weapon systems integrated into the howitzer are automatic and have automatic loading. The sophisticated optical configuration of the day, night, and thermal equipment for 360-degree surveillance is integrated into the turret of the howitzer.

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