KNDS presents new wheeled howitzer
The war in Ukraine is driving rapid development in artillery systems. In Germany, KNDS defense consortium is introducing a new artillery system that remains faster and more maneuverable in combat than traditional guns. More than 50 of the new self-propelled howitzers are rolling into Ukraine.
An unusual sight to the east of Magdeburg: Militaries, experts, and procurement specialists, under the cover of secrecy, observe as two rolling beasts emerge from cover on the Altengrabow military training ground. The German manufacturer KNDS (formerly Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) presented together with the US partner General Dynamics a new artillery concept that promises significant advantages on future battlefields.
For the live-fire demonstration, the weapons builders brought along two versions especially for the East of Saxony-Anhalt: The fully automated "Artillerie-Geschütz-Modul" (AGM) - a remote-controlled gun turret with a computerized fire control system and automatic loader - can be mounted on tracked vehicles like the Boxer or the similar Piranha from General Dynamics.
The two artillery systems named "Boxer RCH 155" and "Piranha HMC AGM" aim to combine the firepower of a tank howitzer with the speed of a tracked vehicle. They can engage targets up to 54 kilometers away under adverse conditions.
The fully amphibious and armored vehicle comes with only a crew of two: driver and commander are sufficient to deploy the gun without preparation time to a new position, acquire new targets, or take defensive measures against counter-attacks.
Unlike conventional artillery guns, the new self-propelled howitzers remain constantly ready for firing. The commander can even fire targeted shots from the 155-millimeter gun while on the move.
"The demonstration clearly showed that the fully automated AGM can usher in a new era for artillery," summarizes Gerhard Heiming from the magazine "European Security & Technology" of his impressions from Altengrabow: "The firing can occur without preparation, in any direction, and even while driving."
Ukrainians, Brits, Swiss, and the Bundeswehr
In action, this offers crucial advantages: The self-propelled howitzers, with their advanced gun technology from the German Panzerhaubitze 2000, not only shoot faster. Their mobility also makes them significantly less vulnerable.
In particularly dangerous sections, the "Remote Controlled Howitzers" (RCH) can reportedly be operated remotely in emergency situations. In the future, autonomous driving and remote control operation are promised by KNDS.
The two presented versions are said to be series-ready. The radar artillery tank "Boxer RCH 155" is reportedly already in production and could soon appear at the front in Ukraine. Germany plans to deliver a total of 54 RCH 155 howitzers to the Ukrainian armed forces - but only from the beginning of next year.
Besides that, there are considerations for western armed forces to acquire new artillery systems. For example, Great Britain has registered an interest in 400 self-propelled howitzers. The German military could use 160 highly mobile "Canon-Boxers." Switzerland itself also wants to take a closer look at remotely controlled mobile artillery pieces.
- The ongoing 'Attack on Ukraine' has highlighted the importance of advanced artillery systems, leading to increased interest in new solutions from various military forces, such as the British interest in 400 self-propelled howitzers.
- The new artillery concepts presented by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, like the 'Boxer RCH 155' and 'Piranha HMC AGM', are popular choices due to their armor, speed, and the defense industry's promise of future autonomous driving and remote control operations.
- In the German Armed Forces, the acquisition of 160 highly mobile "Canon-Boxers" is under consideration, following the positive impact of the 'German Panzerhaubitze 2000' technology on the new self-propelled howitzers, which is contributing to Germany's economy by strengthening the defense industry.
