Germany will buy Billions of Artilleryself-propelled howitzers
In the face of the Russian threat, Germany continues to arm itself. The KNDS consortium is reportedly set to produce 155mm RCH howitzers for the Bundeswehr. These are one of the most advanced artillery systems in the world.
For the German-French defense consortium KNDS, another major order from the Bundeswehr is on the horizon. Following the order of 105 Leopard tanks in June, the Defense Ministry, according to "Spiegel" reports, has expressed interest in purchasing a similar number of the armored transport vehicle of the Boxer type, including reportedly 80 artillery howitzers of the RCH 155 variant.
These are equipped with a 155mm caliber and can shoot from full speed. The technology is considered worldwide unique. The first customer is Ukraine. By early 2025, the country is expected to receive the first examples of the Boxer model. The RCH 155 is the gun of the already in-service and highly praised Artillery System Panzerhaubitze 2000 in Ukraine. This gun was mounted on the modern Boxer armored chassis.
The first batch of around 80 systems for the Bundeswehr is expected to cost approximately two billion Euros and is planned in the economic plan of the 100-billion-euro special fund for the German army. The Defense Ministry intends to present the corresponding contract to the Bundestag for approval in the fourth quarter.
The request to KNDS includes significantly more howitzers than the Bundeswehr needs. The background is that Great Britain and other NATO partners have shown interest in the weapons system, they can use it later from the framework contract.
Bundeswehr also interested in RCT30 variant
Apart from the self-propelled howitzers, the Bundeswehr is also interested in the Boxer-variant RCT30, which is to receive an unmanned turret. This turret is currently only used on the Schützenpanzer Puma. Its 30mm border cannon left a good impression on commanders from several NATO member states during a training in March in Slovakia, including from the Bundeswehr. Thus, the idea arose to acquire the Boxer with turret and cannon of the Puma.
The four-axle armored vehicle has the advantage of being more maneuverable and faster than a tracked vehicle. For KNDS, the billions of orders, which are now emerging, would be a welcome replacement for a contract over more than a hundred Leopard tanks with the Italian armed forces, which unexpectedly broke off at the end of June. Rheinmetall had then reached an agreement with Rome for the delivery of its combat tank Panther. However, this is not yet in use.
The interest in the Boxer-variant RCT30 extends beyond the Bundeswehr, as other NATO partners have shown interest in its unmanned turret with a 30mm border cannon. Germany's political decision to modernize its military equipment, including the armament industry, is a response to the perceived threat from Russia. The advanced artillery systems produced by the German-French defense consortium KNDS, such as the RCH 155, are sought after by international militaries, with Ukraine being the first customer for this variant.
