Ukraine receives its first RCH 155 wheeled howitzer
Photo: Ukraine received the first RCH 155 wheeled howitzer from Germany (GettyImages)
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has handed over the first new RCH 155 wheeled howitzer to Ukraine. It is expected to strengthen Ukrainian artillery, Tagesschau reports.
"Ukraine can count on us, and this is a signal. Germany is ready to take responsibility in Europe," Pistorius stated.
The symbolic handover took place in Kassel, Germany, where the armored vehicle manufacturer KNDS produces this weapon system. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev was also present at the event.
The reports indicate that the first six of these systems will initially remain in Germany and will be used to train Ukrainian soldiers.
"We don't need intermediaries; we need allies," said Makeiev.
Earlier, the German government announced that by 2027, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive a total of 36 RCH 155 units as part of Germany's military aid.
What we know about RCH 155
The RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer) is a modern German self-propelled artillery system developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. The basis for the RCH 155 is the Artillery Gun Module (AGM) mounted on the chassis of the armored wheeled transporter Boxer.
Its main weapon is a 155-mm howitzer with automatic loading, capable of firing both conventional and precision-guided shells at a range of up to 54 km. It is distinguished by high accuracy, a rate of fire of up to 9 rounds per minute, and the capability to conduct remote-controlled fire without the crew being in the combat compartment.
The RCH 155 ensures high mobility and crew protection thanks to the wheeled Boxer platform. The system can quickly change positions after each salvo, reducing the risk of counter-battery fire by the enemy. It also features integrated navigation and communication tools for rapid targeting.
German aid to Ukraine
As previously reported, Germany will hand over additional missiles for Iris-T systems to Ukraine as soon as possible.
On January 10, the media sources informed that Germany is preparing new large military aid packages for Ukraine, which could be delivered in the first half of 2025. These packages will include, in particular, air defense systems, tanks, and howitzers.
