The Swedish Government has placed an order for 18 new ARCHER mobile howitzers from BAE Systems, as part of its 18th military support package to Ukraine, the company confirmed on 9 April.
The announcement was made by Swedish Minister for Defence, Dr. Pål Jonson, during a visit to BAE Systems’ Bofors facility in Karlskoga, where the ARCHER system is produced.
The order forms part of a broader $300 million artillery package that also includes five artillery location radar systems and related funding.
The ARCHER, a highly mobile 155mm self-propelled howitzer, has been widely used by the Swedish Armed Forces and is noted for its automation, rapid-fire capability, and deployability in demanding operational environments. It has gained increased attention in recent years due to its performance in frontline roles.
In a statement, Lena Gillström, president of BAE Systems Bofors, said: “The ARCHER is one of the most sought after and trusted artillery systems in the world, and its proven performance on the battlefield cements this.”
This procurement is part of Sweden’s continued support for Ukraine, with the new systems expected to backfill national capability following prior transfers to Kyiv. Sweden had previously donated ARCHER systems to Ukraine in earlier aid packages, prompting domestic replenishment orders.
BAE Systems also noted that its Tridon Mk2 Ground-Based Air Defence System has been presented as another element of Sweden’s broader support efforts, though it was not included in this specific order.
6 Bots….and me. 🙄
I’m trying
And far bigger better funded sites have the same problems.
Thank you for all you are doing George
Good effort getting on top of this.
I did suggest a while ago having the content filter set to allow the email addresses (which aren’t publicly visible so harder to spoof than user names) of the regular contributors.
I wonder if that is a less labour intensive approach?
It would also be really handy if notification of reply came back as it enabled proper conversations to take place and debate to develop.
Hi George. Good to hear.
Given that Trump is snubbing a $50 billion offer from Ukraine to buy Patriot air defence systems, an alternative European offer of air defence missile systems should be made in addition to gun artillery.
Trump not approving aid I can get. I disagree with him but he is doing what the MAGA crowd voted for.
Is he really refusing to sell at market prices? That surprises me.
Maybe chance for CAMM/CAMM-MR to get a try out in Ukraine then? Everyone else seems to be there! Lol.
Strictly speaking, the difference between backfilling capability and deliveries to Ukraine ought to be emphasised in these reports, especially in summaries of spending and deliveries. Both categories are important.
I wish the RA had as many as 18 modern SPGs!
Great news for Ukraine. Haven’t heard of them using them, but they look terrific in the promotional video. Under 10mins to set-up, fire rounds and move on.
To be honest I’m not really sure why the UK did not just order more of these as a cost effective quick way to upgrade fires, after all we have 14 already.
Yes, good sense, an interim fill in while waiting for the RCH155.
Jon, ask Sunak. He forced Boxer RCH-155 on the army before they had run their competition amongst contenders.
Wasn’t Gucci enough for army?
Joking apart there are good reasons for having a split fleet anyway. Both types have their strengths.
Archer could ultimately be manned by reserves?
To be honest it would be the perfect 155mm mobile fires for 4th and 7th brigades… a regiment for each so 48 guns. One of the things 1 div actually needs is 155mm mobile fires for its brigades. 3rd division should probably have something tracked.
The reserves have no guns beyond 105 mm, so issuing their own complement of Archer would be a big upgrade.
A reserve Regiment I understand provides extra personnel to the 2 regular Regiments, 1 RHA and 19 RA, who would normally have 155mm SPG!
Beyond this, I’ve suggested before keeping Archer, when RCH155 comes in and just allocate it to 7 Brigade.
Surely an improvement over the Light Guns it’s Artillery Regiment, 4 RA, have currently.