Image source: topwar.ru
The British Army decided to replace the self-propelled AS90 artillery units of its own design transferred to Ukraine with Swedish Archer howitzers. This is reported by the British press with reference to the Ministry of Defense.
The UK and Sweden are planning to sign an intergovernmental agreement in the near future, under which the British military department will receive from six to eight 155-mm Archer self-propelled guns. Such a number of Swedish howitzers will not compensate for the ACS transferred to Kiev, but will allow the British to send another batch of AS90 to Zelensky.
As reported, the Swedish howitzers should provide the artillery of the British army with "temporary opportunities" that will allow them to withdraw a certain number of old AS90 self-propelled guns from the state for their subsequent transfer to Ukraine. Nothing is reported about the delivery dates.
The FH77 BW L52 Archer self-propelled howitzer in its basic version is a 155 mm towed FH77 howitzer mounted on the chassis of a Volvo A30D truck. However, the British will receive howitzers on a different chassis, presumably Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles HX-series 8×8. A prototype of such an installation with an armored cabin has already been created.
Swedish self-propelled howitzers Archer ("Archer") have a firing range of standard ammunition — 40 km, special high-precision M982 Excalibur - up to 60 km. The rate of fire is 8 rounds per minute. The mechanized laying is designed for 21 shots. There is a possibility of direct fire. Additionally armed with a remote-controlled combat module mounted on the roof of the truck cab. The speed on the highway is up to 70 km / h, the crew is 3-4 people. The time of deployment and folding at the position is 30 seconds.
Ukraine is also waiting for the delivery of Archer self-propelled guns, the Swedes promised Zelensky to include howitzers in the military aid package, but did not say which one.
