Germany Trains Over 600 Ukrainian Soldiers for RCH 155 Howitzers

Germany has completed training for more than 600 Ukrainian soldiers, who have learned to operate the modern wheeled RCH 155 self-propelled howitzers.

The German Ministry of Defense announced the successful completion of the program following a visit by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to the Artillery School in Idar-Oberstein, according to German Aid to Ukraine.

The training program, which has been underway since spring 2025, has become one of the largest efforts to prepare Ukrainian crews to operate the latest Western weapon systems.

The course was organized by the Bundeswehr in cooperation with the equipment manufacturer KNDS Deutschland and included several key stages.

During the first phase, the soldiers underwent intensive driving training using the GTK Boxer platform, practicing maneuvers on difficult terrain and in low-visibility conditions.

The next phase focused directly on the artillery module. Soldiers learned to operate the automatic targeting and loading systems and to conduct firing using simulators and live training ranges.

The number of trained specialists significantly exceeds previous training rates for other systems, such as the PzH 2000 or MARS II.

This figure highlights the project’s strategic importance, as Ukraine is the first customer worldwide to order the RCH 155.

In addition, the German parliament’s budget committee has approved funding for the serial production and procurement of RCH 155 wheeled howitzers. The joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland – ARTEC GmbH – is expected to produce up to 500 of these self-propelled artillery systems based on the Boxer wheeled platform, for both Germany and allied countries.

In the first stage, the Bundeswehr will order four prototype units, one of which will be designated for testing in the United Kingdom. The plan also covers the purchase of 80 production systems worth more than €1 billion. The troops are expected to receive this equipment between 2028 and the end of 2030.

In total, the German army could receive up to 229 RCH 155 units. The United Kingdom is purchasing its own batch under a separate contract for about 70 systems.

So far, London has officially ordered 37 howitzers, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028.