Germany to massively upgrade artillery, drawing lessons from Ukraine conflict

Germany plans to double its capabilities in both barrel and missile artillery systems over the decade, based on lessons learned from Ukraine. We present what they are most likely to acquire.

As Joe Weingarten, a member of the German parliament's defence committee, stated for hartpunkt.de, Germany needs to double its artillery potential because, as he commented on the situation in Ukraine, "without firepower, everything is nothing".

The goal of increasing potential is to ensure that each brigade has fire support on the same terms as at the division or corps level. This means the need to increase the staff from 3,200 soldiers to 6,000 and to increase the number of barrel artillery systems from the current 120 units to approximately 300 specimens and doubling the current number of 40 missile systems.

In addition, Joe Weingarten mentioned the increase in training potential at the German artillery school in Idar-Oberstein and the need to build operational and strategic reserves both in terms of personnel, equipment, and ammunition. Especially with the last issue, Germany has a huge problem, as admitted by Frank Haun, CEO of KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS), in an interview with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" in 2022, the Bundeswehr had ammunition for a maximum of two days of fighting.

It can be assumed that even despite increasing the production capabilities of the German industry producing ammunition for Ukraine, the situation has not significantly improved.

The statement referring to barrel systems most likely refers to the revolutionary RCH 155 howitzers. According to plans, a contract for their supply is to be signed in the first half of 2024, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2031.

It is a revolutionary design setting new standards for self-propelled artillery, as, unlike systems such as Krab, PzH 2000, Zuzana 2, or CAESAR, it does not require stopping and can shoot while moving.

This, in the face of artillery radars and integrated fire control systems, means that even a brief delay in leaving the firing position can result in destruction. It should be noted that modern fire control systems, such as the Polish TOPAZ, enable firing at a detected target within a few seconds, greatly increasing the effectiveness of counter-battery fire.

Meanwhile, the RCH 155 can fire while moving at a speed of 30 km/h (about 19 mph), which means that even in the case of rapid artillery reaction based on artillery radars, the RCH 155 howitzer will no longer be in the strike zone.

This system consists of the GTK Boxer transporter chassis and a fully automated AGM turret, which autoloads both projectiles and propellant charges (for example, in the PzH 2000 which also features an autoloader, these are manually loaded), reducing the crew to two soldiers and opening up prospects for planned remotely controlled versions.

The howitzer uses a 155 mm caliber gun with a length of 52 calibers (about 8 metres in length), characterised by a rate of fire up to 9 shots per minute and the ability to fire a five-round salvo in MRSI mode where all shells hit the target almost simultaneously. The strike range depends on the type of ammunition, ranging from 30 km (about 19 miles) for standard DM121 type projectiles, through 40 km (about 25 miles) for projectiles with a gas generator, up to 60 km (about 37 miles) for rocket-assisted projectiles such as M549A1.

Moreover, like the PzH 2000, the novelty is capable of using experimental Vulcano 155 GLR projectiles, which can hit even a moving target at a distance of 70-80 km (about 43-50 miles) with precision below 3 metres (about 10 feet) with the use of a SAL guidance warhead and a laser designator from an observer or drone.

It is also worth mentioning that Germany will not be the first users of this system, as the first 18 specimens will be delivered to Ukraine. This delivery will also allow Germany to test the innovative RCH 155 howitzer in conditions that standard tests do not provide and avoid problems, such as those that the not very resilient to the rigours of heavy war PzH 2000 are prone to.

In the case of rocket artillery, Germany is most likely to enrich its capabilities currently based on the MARS II launcher systems with PULS (Precise & Universal Launch System) systems. It was designed by the Israeli company Elbit Systems, and as part of the cooperation, its elements are to be manufactured in Europe under a license, which is a development of the long-standing relationships between the German and Israeli industries.

For example, this cooperation includes, among other things, the licensed production of anti-tank guided missiles Spike-LR, locally known as MELLS, and currently Germany is strongly promoting the Israeli Arrow-3 air and missile defence system.

One of the biggest advantages of the PULS system is its versatility and the possibility of using various types of rockets. The system can be loaded with 18 Accular rockets of 122 mm calibre with a range of 35 km (about 22 miles), which similar to Polish Feniks rockets are an improved version of Soviet solutions, 10 Accular rockets of 160 mm calibre with a range of 40 km (about 25 miles), four guided EXTRA rockets of 305 mm calibre with a range of 150 km (about 93 miles), or two short-range ballistic Predator Hawk rockets of 370 mm calibre, offering a range of up to 300 km (about 186 miles).

These systems will allow achieving a level of German artillery commensurate with new threats and tasks. The modernisation process itself can be compared to the massive strengthening of artillery capabilities in the Polish Army, which also received and will receive in the coming years modern barrel and rocket systems.