Germany ramps up artillery power and eyes advanced systems amid Ukraine lessons

Germany will double its artillery capabilities over the next decade, enhancing its barrel and missile artillery systems based on insights from Ukraine's ongoing conflict. Here's a closer look at the potential acquisitions.

According to Joe Weingarten, a German parliament's defence committee member, Germany needs to boost its artillery potential. Reflecting on the situation in Ukraine, he told hartpunkt.de, "Without firepower, everything is nothing." The aim is to ensure that each brigade has the same level of fire support as division or corps levels. This includes increasing personnel from 3,200 soldiers to 6,000 and boosting the number of barrel artillery systems from the current 120 to about 300, alongside doubling the missile system count from 40.

Moreover, Weingarten highlighted the need to expand the training capacity at the German artillery school in Idar-Oberstein and build operational and strategic reserves regarding personnel, equipment, and ammunition. Frank Haun, CEO of KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS), revealed in a 2022 interview with "Süddeutsche Zeitung" a significant challenge: the Bundeswehr had ammunition for a maximum of two days of intense combat. Despite ramping up production capacity, the situation hasn't improved vastly.

The focus on barrel systems likely points to the cutting-edge RCH 155 howitzers. A contract for these is expected in the first half of 2024, with deliveries spanning from 2026 to 2031. Unlike others such as the Krab or PzH 2000, this innovative design allows for firing on the move, a critical advantage against modern artillery radars and integrated fire control systems where even a slight delay could spell destruction. The RCH 155 can move at 18.6 mph and fire, thus dramatically enhancing survivability against rapid counter-battery fire.

This advanced system incorporates the GTK Boxer transporter chassis and a fully automated AGM turret, making manual loading obsolete and reducing crew requirements. A 155 mm calibre gun can achieve a firing rate of up to 9 shots per minute and deliver a five-round salvo in MRSI mode, where all shells impact the target simultaneously. Ammunition types vary, extending the howitzer's range significantly, and the system can even engage moving targets with high precision using experimental Vulcano 155 GLR projectiles.

Interestingly, Germany will not be the inaugural user of this technology; the first 18 units are slated for delivery to Ukraine. This will provide a real-world testing environment that surpasses standard testing protocols.

Germany is likely to augment its MARS II launchers for rocket artillery with the versatile PULS systems created by Israeli firm Elbit Systems. This collaboration will see components manufactured in Europe under license, deepening the German-Israeli industrial partnership. The PULS system's flexibility allows for various rocket types, ranging from Accular rockets for more localized engagements to the far-reaching Predator Hawk ballistic missiles.

These enhancements position German artillery to meet new challenges head-on, reflecting a broader trend of modernizing artillery capabilities akin to recent developments in the Polish Army.