According to information published by the “Defense Brief” website on August 11, 2002, the Swiss defense procurement agency ArmaSuisse has selected the two last contenders for the next-generation self-propelled howitzer program of the Swiss army including the German company Kraus-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) with the RCH 155 and BAE Systems with the Archer.
Citing information from the Defense Brief website the two artillery systems will conduct trial tests in Germany between 2023 and 2024 and the final decision for the acquisition will be announced in 2026.
Currently, the Swiss armed forces have a total of M109 KAWEST which is an upgraded version of the American M109 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. The main part of the upgrade is the replacement of the existing 155 mm 39 caliber barrel with a new Swiss-designed and built chrome-plated 155 mm 47 caliber barrel fitted with a new double-baffle muzzle brake and fume extractor as used in the Swiss Army Pz Hb 88/95 upgrade.
The Swiss army is planning to withdraw its old M109 KAWEST with a new self-propelled howitzer based on a wheeled truck chassis. The American M109A1 155mm self-propelled howitzer has been in service for more than 50 years.