What is the RCH 155 howitzer?

It is a wheeled 155 mm artillery system offered by KNDS with participation from Rheinmetall. It aims to combine high mobility with automated functions for faster setup and sustained fire. The system targets lower crew burden and networked fire control to match modern European operational needs.

What does the December 30 agreement include?

The deal funds co-procurement and testing worth about €64 million, or $70 million. It sends one Early Capability Demonstrator to the UK and two units to Germany. Trials will assess mobility, fire support, training, logistics, and support tools before any move toward serial production or larger framework orders.

Why does this matter for Germany?

Germany gains a real-world testbed to compare performance and lifecycle factors before committing to bigger buys. Shared results with the UK can speed decisions, improve interoperability, and lower future integration costs. Success could bring faster negotiations on volume, pricing, and spares for any later production order.

What should investors monitor in 2025?

Watch test results, any official summaries on availability and accuracy, and budget actions that enable multi-year contracts. Follow supplier commentary on backlog, capacity, and production lead times. If targets are met, the pilot program could pivot to larger European orders, improving order visibility for core suppliers.

Law and Government

December 30: Germany‑UK $70M RCH 155 Deal Signals EU Defense Upswing

ByHuzaifa Zahoor December 31, 2025December 31, 2025

The Germany UK defense deal announced on December 30 sets a joint co-procurement and test program for the RCH 155 howitzer, valued at about €64 million, or $70 million. Germany will receive two units, and the UK will take one Early Capability Demonstrator from KNDS and Rheinmetall. For German readers, this points to steady European defense spending and clearer order visibility for key suppliers. We see practical gains for mobility, interoperability, and industrial learning that could support larger follow-on orders if trials meet performance and cost goals.