On September 13, 2023, Sweden entered into a significant contract with BAE Systems, securing an additional 48 Archer 155mm self-propelled howitzers for its army at a contract value of approximately $500 million. The newly ordered systems will be integrated into Rheinmetall MAN military vehicles, specifically the RMMV HX2 8×8, with the first units scheduled for delivery to the Swedish Army in 2025.
The contract, signed between BAE Systems and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), underscores the importance of the Archer mobile artillery system for the Swedish Armed Forces. Manufactured in Sweden, the system has seen successful deployment in the Swedish Army and has reached commendable levels of technical and manufacturing readiness.
In addition to the Swedish Army, the United Kingdom has also selected the Archer to meet its interim artillery requirements. As previously reported, the British Army has initiated the acquisition of modern artillery systems, partly as replacements for those supplied to Ukraine. The British Army recently received the first 14 Archer self-propelled howitzers, serving as interim replacements for the 32 AS90 artillery systems previously donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Archer is built on a modified 6×6 chassis from the Volvo A30D all-terrain articulated hauler. It includes an ammunition resupply vehicle, a support vehicle, and can fire multiple rounds in succession with different trajectories to hit the same target simultaneously.