Britain has handed over all AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems to Ukraine

The UK has handed over all AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems to Ukraine, thus completing their use in the British Army.

This was reported by Army Technology.

The last firing of these artillery systems took place in May 2024, becoming the last in the British Army.

Initially, the decommissioning of these systems was planned for the 2030s, so that the replacement with a modern self-propelled artillery system would take place without serious gaps in capabilities.

Despite this, the AS-90 systems were nevertheless decommissioned, and 14 used Swedish Archer artillery systems were purchased as a temporary replacement, which were incorporated into the 1st Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery.

According to the UK Ministry of Defense’s document on the number of equipment on the balance sheet, as of 2023, the number of the AS-90 systems was 57 units, and in February 2024, this number decreased to 39 systems, which was due to their transfer to Ukraine.

Already in September 2024, the UK government announced its intention to deliver more AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems than previously reported.

Following this announcement, in December 2024, the AS-90 artillery systems entered service with the 58th Separate Mechanized Infantry Brigade, and in the first quarter of 2025, the 117th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade and 151st Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

It should be noted that, according to officially confirmed transfers, the UK government has so far transferred approximately 68 AS-90 artillery systems in three tranches – one in 2023, and in April and September 2024.

According to the announced transfer, in April 2024, thus an additional number of AS-90s were transferred, bringing the total number to 50 units – in addition to the 32 transferred in 2023. And in September 2024, the transfer of 16 more systems was announced, bringing the total to 34 confirmed transfers since February 2024.

Despite the number, the artillery systems are being transferred both in combat-ready condition and for use as donors to repair the most serviceable units.

In addition, as part of the logical conclusion of the Mobile Fires Platform program, the UK Ministry of Defense announced that the German RCH155 wheeled artillery system was selected to replace the existing fleet of AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems.

The choice of this system was made due to its relatively high level of localization, as well as the successful completion of firing tests, during which it demonstrated high rate of fire, speed of deployment and abandonment.

The system will be manufactured in Germany and the United Kingdom: the artillery modules will be produced in Germany, and the Boxer base and guns will be produced in the UK.