The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has signed a letter of intent to procure 24 additional Archer 155-millimeter mobile howitzers from BAE Systems Bofors.
The letter was signed in front of an Archer on display during the Eurosatory defense expo in Paris last week.
The howitzer procurement is part of the country’s effort to establish another artillery battalion in line with the Swedish defense strategy for 2021 to 2025.
“This letter of intent lays out the path for additional Archers for Sweden,” BAE managing director Lena Gillström said. “We look forward to being part of the development of increased artillery capability for the nation.”
Once delivered, the Swedish armed forces will have 72 Archer truck-mounted artillery systems.
‘Enhanced Artillery Capability’
The Archer FH77 is a self-propelled howitzer capable of firing M982 Excalibur rounds up to 60 kilometers (37.3 miles).
It is equipped with a fire control system, a laying system, and a muzzle velocity radar.
The howitzer has an intensive fire rate of 20 rounds in two and a half minutes and a salvo fire rate of three rounds in 15 seconds.
BAE Systems Bofors official Mikael Take told Breaking Defense that delivering additional Archer systems is part of the company’s commitment to providing “enhanced artillery capability” to the Swedish defense forces.
He further stated that there is “significant concern” in Sweden over the months-long war between Russia and Ukraine.
Stockholm’s existing Archers, which it first received in 2015, are mounted on Volvo A30 6×6 articulated haulers.
The new artillery systems will be integrated into a Rheinmetall MAN Military (RMMV) HX2 8×8 chassis, with a higher reported maximum speed of 56 miles (90 kilometers) per hour.
