The UK will hand over AS-90 155-mm self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.

This was stated in the press release of the British government.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine should receive 30 of these self-propelled guns.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace should announce the details of the transfer on Monday, January 16, 2023.

The training of Ukrainian crews should begin soon.

The transfer of howitzers and Challenger 2 tanks “is the beginning of changes” in the nature of military assistance from London, the press release notes. Rishi Sunak has instructed government officials to provide support to Ukraine that would in 2023 be equal to or exceed the scale of the aid allocated in the previous year.

The British government believes that “a window of opportunities has opened up” as Russia experiences problems with the morale of the troops and with the replenishment of arsenals.

A Downing Street spokesman quoted in the report mentioned: “As the people of Ukraine approach their second year under relentless Russian bombing, the Prime Minister is committed to ensuring that Ukraine wins this war. Alongside his closest military advisors, he has analyzed the military picture, looked at the strategic impact of the UK’s support, and identified a window where he thinks the UK and its allies can have maximum impact.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak instructed the Secretary of Defense to unite military allies to ensure maximum strategic and coordinated support. Ben Wallace is due to travel to Estonia and Germany next week to discuss the matter with Britain’s NATO partners. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit the United States and Canada.

AS-90

AS-90 is a British 155mm self-propelled artillery system developed by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering. These ACSs had been produced between 1992 and 1995.

In total, the British Army received 179 units. The ACS armed 6 artillery regiments. AS-90 replaced the 105 mm FV433 Abbot and M109 self-propelled guns, along with trailed 155 mm self-propelled FH70.

As of 2015, 117 AS-90 were in service with three regiments. The operation of these self-propelled guns in the UK is planned until 2032.

Main characteristics

Crew – 5 people
Weight – 45 tons
Engine – turbo diesel engine with a capacity of 660 hp
Barrel length – 39 calibers
Range of firing with a conventional projectile – 24.9 km
Rate of fire – 3 shots per 10 seconds (burst), 6 shots per 3 minutes (intense)
Ammunition – 48 shells (31 turret and 17 hull)
Additional armament – 7.62 mm machine gun

The turret of the AS-90 is used in the production of Polish Krab self-propelled guns, which are also in service with the Ukrainian military.