Ukraine is still several months away from receiving combat-ready RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery systems from KNDS Deutschland. Although the first formal handover took place on January 13, making Ukraine the world's first operator of this system, the unit remained in Germany for crew training. Actual frontline deployment is yet to come.
KNDS Deutschland CEO Ralph Ketzel told DW that delivery is expected "within the next few months" — but only if several technical issues are resolved.
Read more: Ukrainians Training on GTK Boxer in Germany Hints at Delays in RCH 155 Supplies
"The experience of working with Ukrainian soldiers was very valuable, as it allowed us to make several changes to the RCH artillery systems. Currently, there are still several technical issues that we are resolving in dialogue with Ukraine," Ketzel said.
The main task now is integrating Ukraine's battle management system into the RCH 155. According to Ketzel, this was not prioritized in 2024 due to more pressing needs, but it has since become central.
"If we resolve all the issues, we will deploy these systems within the next few months. However, only the Ukrainian military holds the right to announce that the delivery has taken place," he added.
On a note from Defense Express, the integration of RCH 155 with the Ukrainian battle management system — traditionally called an automated control system (ACS) — is a critical step. It eliminates a major pain point: at present, target coordinates are often relayed "by voice" or via a tablet and then manually entered into digital fire control systems.
Instead, marrying RCH 155 with Ukrainian software will make the entire process fully automated and seamless, eliminating delays and errors.
Another reason why solving this problem is important is that automation is exactly what gives RCH 155 its greatest advantage in combat and reduces the required crew to just two members, a driver and an operator.
Furthermore, the operator needs to receive tasks from a commander located in a separate vehicle, the AiTO30. Here is where Ketzel shared a little surprise, as the AiTO30 was once thought to be just an air-defense variant of the Boxer chassis designed to cover the RCH 155.
However, the creators later decided that the artillery unit commander should operate from there, effectively making AiTO30 the battery's command hub. While preserving its original counter-drone role, it also became the core of the artillery unit.
According to Ketzel, the Ukrainian software chosen to be integrated with RCH 155 is the Kropyva ACS. Kropyva helps to combine the intelligence, control functions, and firepower of diverse units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces into a single information field. How it works in practice, find out here.
The RCH 155, meanwhile, remains a unique artillery system worldwide. It can fire on the move and is built on the high-mobility Boxer wheeled chassis. Its fully automated turret is separated from the chassis, streamlining all processes inside.
The system's 155mm, 52-caliber long gun achieves a rate of fire of eight rounds per minute, with ranges of up to 40 km using standard extended-range shells, and up to 70 km with specialized munitions such as the Vulcano projectile.
The AiTO30, meanwhile, is also based on the Boxer platform but equipped with the RCT30 turret from the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. Modified for maximum effectiveness against air targets, especially drones, it can also fire on the move. Its 30mm MK30-2/ABM autocannon is compatible with programmable airburst ammunition, making it a potent protective element for RCH 155 batteries.
Read more: How the "Kropyva" Combat Control System Helps in the Most Difficult Situations: Fortified Positions Couldn’t Save russian Army
