Ukraine May Procure Vulcano Precision-Guided Artillery Shells for Long-Range Guns

Ukraine may plan to procure 155 mm Vulcano long-range artillery shells after signing a memorandum of understanding between Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and German company Diehl Defence.

German Aid to Ukraine reported this, based on an analysis of the Ukrainian-German agreements reached in Kyiv on October 4.

According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense signed three memorandums with Diehl Defence covering the supply of IRIS-T air defense systems, missiles for them, and precision-guided artillery ammunition.
The last of these memorandums may specifically provide for the procurement of Vulcano shells.

The publication notes that delivery timing will depend on contract finalization and the quantity ordered. According to a defense industry source cited by German Aid to Ukraine, under favorable conditions, an initial batch of several hundred shells could be delivered before the end of 2026.

Militarnyi previously reported that Germany announced the procurement of 255 Vulcano artillery shells for Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian troops received the first batch in March 2023.

The use of unguided Vulcano 155 BER shells was later captured on video showing a German PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer operated by the 43rd Artillery Brigade.

Vulcano

Vulcano is a family of long-range artillery ammunition developed by Italy’s Leonardo and Germany’s Diehl Defence. The 155 mm ammunition is available in an unguided BER (Ballistic Extended Range) version and a guided GLR (Guided Long Range) version. Its distinctive feature is a sub-caliber design that increases range without a rocket motor.

When fired from 52-caliber guns, including the PzH 2000 and RCH 155, the unguided Vulcano BER can engage targets out to 50 km, while the guided GLR reaches about 70 km.

The shells also fit 155 mm artillery systems with 39-caliber barrels, including the U.S. M777 howitzers. However, their range is reduced in this configuration: up to 36 km for the unguided BER and up to 55 km for the guided GLR.

The guided Vulcano GLR has a circular error probable of no more than 5 meters when using coordinate-based guidance. With a semi-active laser homing seeker, this figure is reduced to 3 meters. This configuration also lets the ammunition engage moving targets when a laser illuminates them. A dedicated fire-control device programs the ammunition before firing.

The Vulcano 155 is 950 mm long and weighs approximately 36 kg. The unguided version contains about 7.5 kg of explosive material, while the guided version carries approximately 30% less. Tungsten fragmentation elements arranged around the shell body provide additional target effects.