New rocket artillery launchers and munitions are beginning to arrive in the UK as the Ministry of Defence expands the Army’s Multiple Launch Rocket System capability, according to parliamentary answers.
Responding to questions from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed that the first upgraded M270 launchers have already been delivered to the UK. “Two launchers have now been delivered to the UK and a further 13 launchers and two Repair and Recovery Vehicles are currently on the production line for delivery in 2026,” he said.
The launchers are being upgraded to the newer A2 standard, with the work taking place in phases across the fleet. Pollard said the programme will be delivered in four tranches, with the final systems expected to be completed later in the decade. “The whole MLRS fleet is being upgraded in four tranches with the final deliveries estimated to be complete by 2029.”
Alongside launcher upgrades, the UK is also replenishing its stockpile of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions. Pollard confirmed that new rockets will begin arriving in the UK this year. “Replenishment of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems stockpile is on contract with the first deliveries expected to arrive in the UK in Quarter two 2026.”
The UK is also procuring Extended Range GMLRS rockets, which significantly increase the range of the system, with the minister saying the first deliveries are expected to arrive in the UK in 2028.
Separate answers also confirmed the current size of the UK’s MLRS fleet and recent acquisitions intended to bolster it. Pollard said the Ministry of Defence currently operates an operational fleet of 21 M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, comprising launcher and repair and recovery vehicle variants. He also confirmed that the UK has acquired 11 M270A0 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems launchers from Norway, expanding the available fleet as the upgrade programme continues.
21, I thought the current fleet was around 40?
Some gifted to UKR but I did think we had sixty or so at one point…..
Wiki gives the number as 43. Apparently the plan is to have 76 launchers by 2030.
Yep, I thought it was just under 50
21 in service, 13 being upgraded, that 34 . Maybe the rest in reserve/maintance .
We bought 64 M270 (and 179 AS90s) back in the 90s, but a lot were put into reserve and, over the years, some were stripped for spares. We only gifted three to Ukraine, but apparently most of our rocket stocks went with them. The 21 figure is the current operational fleet, so we do have more, and they are being upgraded to the A2 standard.
Some were stripped and used as gate guardians?
I’d be pleased if we had 74 as that is a really good force multiplier and a great investment.
Let’s all hope this survives the DIP.
At some point UK has to stop messing around and invest in defence kit and stop massaging the figures.
Core conventional defence is probably shrinking maybe 1.6% now – not much at all.
It seems we have reversed the meme ‘less is more’ to ‘more is less’. Another classic U-turn?
Seen today looking at 76 with possible xtra 14.
Luke Polard and his slight of hand. Correct me if I’m wrong but the intention was for 72 launchers.
The usual.
The Army has 4 Regular Batteries, 2 each in 26RA and 3 RHA, plus 2 Reserve Batteries in 101RA. The plan I believe was to expand to 6 and 3.
So the Batteries, like GBAD Sky Sabre ones, must be tiny with that amount operational.
Well done HMG!
Whatever the fleet, it isn’t enough along with the rest of the UK’s artillery. The RA has been given scant regard for years, and yet it’s one of the most vital battlefield components!
Should have kept that quiet. Zelensky will be on the phone demanding more and we will end up gifting those replacement stocks. As noble as that is, it never allows us to rebuild our own.
Germany only gave them 6 PAC-3 last time, and are probably bolstering their own GBAD
Agreed, we should replenish our stocks first
We have given so much to them compared to other NATO countries over the years
Let others take more of the burden
Of course got to give points to Germany for ramping it up to the point they are only beaten by the USA in the sheer amount of weapons sent to Zelensky
Always give credit where credit is due 👍
Thanks for correcting that, Germany has seriously stepped up. Would be interesting to know where France is presently, haven’t heard any recent information on their transfer of kit.
🤡
Zelenski’s failure would embolden Putin.
ATM Zelenski is demonstrating how a small country can tie up Russia even with only moderate support.
I really wish we had gone all in early with materiel support to deliver a decisive blow to Putin.
Agree, brutal though it is while Putin is stuck in his never ending grind against Ukraine.. he is not building up to attack a nato ally or us…
Yes changed my mind on that somewhat, we were all nervous at the time of Putin’s threats and capabilities back then, now we realise their only real asset has been the surprising ability after 4 years to still kill their personnel at obscene rates without serious blow back from their population. Until now I had thought that ability would have changed since Soviet days but apparently not. Even in WW2 the troops downed arms in the assault on Berlin when they were being used as cannon fodder to gather victory that bit quicker. Had we been braver earlier and called their bluff they would now be far weaker I reckon. Lessons to be learn.
I’ve read on X a while back that even this is impacted.
What is not mentioned in the statement, by design, is that the expansion is only funded to 60 something so far, and might not reach the 75.
Further more, and this seemed obvious at the time when a few people highlighted it, there seems to be no funding/movement on the PRSM, which was a part of the Deep Fires expansion, due to funds drawn away for that British German proposal.
If true, we are funding a proposal on a power point slide rather thsn something that existed, that the Army wanted, and is needed.
Now many here will just shout at me for saying I’m a Trump supporter, I’m not, not by the way he’s behaving towards Europe and us, and that we must ween off US goods, the same old stories.
I just want the best kit in the Army’s hands? Yesterday, when it was needed and without the political bollox.
I hope it’s confirmed that PRSM is still funded.
X is not a factual source.
Hi Spock.
Not always, no. But many sources on it are, especially if they’re quoting directly from government statements or contracts.
I’ll see if I can find it.
No thanks, it’s a toxic mix of Russian-bots, their useful idiots in the West, far-right assholes, and people desperate for attention. Why the mainstream media still references it just shows how lazy it can be in looking for clickbait quotes. Most credible people left the platform after Musk bought it, so surprised to see you quoting from it.
Have to say Spock while believable people do still exist on it, it’s difficult to drag yourself away having one presumes devoted much professional time building one’s interactive network, it is barely usable now sadly the algorithmic manipulation is destroying any authenticity or objectivity it once had and just encouraging the Musk fuelled extremists. Used to interact with a lot of useful contacts there but they, if they still exist are swamped by pure angry propaganda.
It’s difficult to divest from any social media platform having invested time and effort to develop personal networks. But the social media giants rely on this inertial as they increase their algorithmic manipulation.
In Musk’s case the manipulation has been particularly partisan politically and has resulted in its transformation into a rage-bait machine.
Our Vulcan friend must be a Blue Sky man.
😀
Live long and prosper – unlike Blue Sky
Wrong.
We know, Blue Sky’s dead on arrival.
TBH I could never see the point of it or Twatter. 🤷🏻♂️
I was thinking exactly the same thing about PrSM reading that article. Not mentioning it at all in the article worried me…
I think it’s gone, funding shifted to the UK Germany missile.
Exactly what was feared.
Hopefully I’m wrong.
PRSM remains low hanging fruit for this government to cut or delay, along with Chinook tranche 2, Boxer batch 2, more A400, more Wedgetail, delay in ordering F35 tranche2, delay in spending on GCAP
Plenty of others.
All part of the 3% and increased spending of course….after cuts this year…..
I’ve got no problem with the UK Germany one, but unless it’s actually going to deliver boxed rounds ready to fire in the same timeframe as PrSM (which it isn’t) then it’s not an either/or in my view. We need the capability from now going forward, not 5+ years down the road.
I’d also add Patria to your low-hanging fruit list there- it’s ready to go, maybe not quite as ready as adding more Boxer to our current order, but still…
The UK has already joined the CAVS programme to further develop Patria and to manufacture here by Babcock.
Patria 6×6 not the original 8×8
So very if sadly true. So disingenuous and the lack of preparedness this past week is simply the overall problem displayed in Miniature. .
Correct the intention was for 72 launchers ,orders should have been placed in 2024. This was scrapped by the current government.
Are any of these launcher vehicles upgrades being done inhouse in the UK or is it the US and are the munitions from the US or built under licence in the UK?
Im pretty sure the upgrades are all done in the US. No idea about rocket supply though, im guessing not. Never heard anything about our own production of ammunition.
Given the statement “ arriving in the UK” I would say we don’t have our own production line for upgrade of the launches or rockets. Launchers I can see it probably isn’t worth it . Rockets however, different story
Weren’t we meant to be developing our own home made rockets to go in these at some point?
Excellent bit of kit but alas HMG are doing a bit of spin and gone for numbers of Btys not launchers in each Bty. More fucking nonsense by our dear leaders! However we need extended range munitions, deep battle winners, and hope we get a grip and get it sorted. Called in a few GLMRS in Afghan, not ER but good enough range from FOB Ed and Bastion.