The new UK Government is set to exceed its initial promise of delivering 12 AS90 artillery guns to Ukraine within 100 days of taking office, with a total of 16 units now scheduled for delivery.
Ten of these artillery pieces have already been sent, with six more to follow in the coming weeks.
The UK’s support is part of a broader commitment to provide £3 billion a year in military assistance to Ukraine until at least 2030/31, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defences against Russia’s illegal invasion.
Artillery, particularly the AS90 guns, has proven crucial in providing cover for Ukrainian forces and in striking Russian military targets. The accelerated delivery is a key part of the UK’s wider military and humanitarian support for Ukraine.
In addition to the artillery delivery, the UK government has announced the creation of a new joint Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office unit. Led by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey, this unit will ensure a unified, whole-of-government approach to supporting Ukraine.
The AS90, officially known as the Gun Equipment 155 mm L131, is a self-propelled armoured artillery piece used by the British Army. Developed by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (VSEL) in the 1990s, it was designed to provide mobile, long-range fire support for armoured infantry brigades. The AS90 can fire its 155 mm gun with an effective range of 24.7 km using its standard 39-calibre barrel, and up to 30 km with a longer 52-calibre barrel. Its rate of fire allows it to deliver a burst of three rounds in just 10 seconds or sustain two rounds per minute over an hour.
The AS90 was introduced into service in 1993, replacing older artillery systems such as the FV433 Abbot and the M109 self-propelled gun. A total of 179 AS90s were built between 1992 and 1995, equipping the British Army’s artillery regiments. The vehicle features advanced automation, including an autonomous gun-laying system, which reduces the time required to bring the gun into action to less than a minute. Over the years, the AS90 has seen several upgrades, particularly to its electronics, ensuring it remains an essential part of the UK’s artillery capabilities.
In terms of combat history, the AS90 has been deployed in various operations, including peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo during the 1990s and the Iraq War in 2003. Its accuracy and firepower were praised during these campaigns, notably in the Battle of Basra, where it was used to target Iraqi mortar positions.
In 2023, the UK first provided AS90 units to Ukraine as part of its support during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Ukrainian forces have highlighted the system’s superior range and accuracy compared to Soviet-era artillery. Despite its capabilities, the AS90 is gradually being phased out of British Army service. In 2024, the UK announced that the AS90 would be replaced by the RCH 155, with new artillery systems expected to enter service by 2029.
Be great if we could see “Britain speeding up artillery delivery to British Army” as well.
Yes, 16 guns is nearly a Regt in old money (not sure what it is these days) good to see them being put to good use. I wonder if these have come from stocks or a active Regt? Really hope there’s not a lot of gun bunnies running around with nothing to play with.
I stand to be corrected but 1RHA in Estonia are the last Regt with AS90 I believe.
When they come home that’s it for the guns.
Don’t hold your breath according to Wiki 116 RCH155 by 2030🙄
Regarding the 3Bn pounds/yr we’re providing in assistance I know we are sending equipment from Armed Forces stocks but is the Treasury paying to replace directly or is replacing this equipment expected to come from the already overstretched MoD budget?
I would hate to think HMG is telling the MoD to provide equipment to Ukraine and then expect the MoD to pay to replace it with no additional funds or uplift being made available from the Treasury.
Jacko. As I understand it you are correct and with the MLRS being withdrawn to be modernised I can only assume the gun bunnies are running around shouting bang or doing sports
Yep, I seem to remember doing something similar years ago. Also back in 74′ during the oil embargo we had to do a low level signals exercise, but because the only vehicle allowed out of camp was the duty driver we had to sit outside a class room on the grass in a circle and just speak radio talk to each other. Comedy classic.
We should be very proud of the support we are offering, but let’s hope they do something to sort the looming capability gap in artillery.
We have given ~ 46 AS90 & 12 none functioning spares to Ukraine out of a total of 179 ( although there are only 54 in UK service ) Wonder the rest are ?