Britain's new battlefield gun makes debut on NATO frontline

The British Army has test-fired its newest long-range artillery weapon in Estonia, marking the first operational use of the Archer howitzer as NATO strengthens its eastern defences. Deployed with the UK-led multinational battlegroup, the 155mm Archer Mobile Howitzer System was put through its paces during a live-fire exercise this week, demonstrating NATO's growing firepower near Russia's border.

Mounted on a six-wheeled Volvo truck, the Archer can strike targets more than 50 kilometres away and reposition in under 20 seconds, using a "shoot and scoot" tactic to outpace enemy drones or counter-battery fire.

Army chiefs ordered the Archers from Sweden to replace the 32 AS90 guns it donated to Ukraine. The first systems arrived in the UK in 2023, filling a critical gap in the Army's 155mm close support capability.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the system strikes a balance between lethality, mobility and crew protection.

Fully automated, it allows a three- or four-person crew to load, aim, and fire from inside an armoured cabin - ensuring total protection during combat operations.

The Archer, which boast a range of 30 miles, is based on the Bofors FH77 52-calibre gun, mounted on a 6x6 articulated hauler.

Its rapid deployment and withdrawal capabilities reduce the window for enemy forces to detect and strike.

Major Barney Ingram, Battery Commander of 19 Regiment Royal Artillery (Scottish Gunners), described the system as a major leap forward.

"That is our new 155mm artillery capability, and we're firing it for the first time operationally here in Estonia," he said.

"The main differences for Archer compared to more traditional guns we've had in the British Army are the fact that it is an auto-loaded piece of equipment, and it enables us to also fire different types of munitions at a greater range.

"What that comes together to provide is an increased lethality for the British Army's artillery systems. Archer's deployment talks to the drive to modernise the British Army, and this is a modern and capable piece of equipment.

"It also speaks to the increased lethality that this is able to deliver into the battlefield. Those combined represent the commitment that we hold to NATO in Eastern Europe, and also demonstrate our capability for artillery systems."

The firing comes as NATO expands its multinational battlegroups in Eastern Europe - a move agreed at the 2022 Madrid Summit - scaling them to brigade strength and reinforcing them with new capabilities, including air defence and heavy artillery.

The UK remains the lead nation for NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battlegroup in Estonia, part of the alliance's deterrence posture on its eastern flank.