Pervasive force – why artillery still is an essential element of any army
The Future Artillery 2024 conference was held in Paris late in May and provided an update on many countries’ artillery aspirations as well as how much-needed weapons and ammunition are performing in Ukraine
While Gulf Wars One and Two in Iraq were campaigns of manoeuvre warfare in the initial phases, eventually the latter became a counter-insurgency operation, as was Afghanistan. This meant that different tactics and (in many cases) different weapons and AFVs were deployed.
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Above: The US, Australia and Canada have supplied Ukraine with BAE Systems M777-series lightweight towed howitzers, among many other items. (Photo: Armed Forces of Ukraine)
While it could be said that manoeuvre warfare took place in the very early stages of the Russian invasion of Ukraine well over two years ago, at the time of writing in early June 2024, the front lines were almost static with Russia making small gains in some areas.
Ukraine clearly does not have sufficient capability to make a major counterattack in the near future and artillery is used heavily on both sides, which have now built long lines of static defences in depth which are difficult to overcome.
Western equipment for Ukraine famously includes the HIMARS rocket system firing GMLRS rounds with a precision effect. Recent information indicates that Russia has been able to jam GMLRS and other guided munitions including the Excalibur M982 155mm projectile to reduce their accuracy.
In addition, drones have moved on from being just a reconnaissance asset and can now carry out strike missions, dropping a variety of munitions on the tops of vulnerable AFVs and even hunting down individual soldiers.
The West has now provided Ukraine with a huge number of towed and SP 105mm and 155mm artillery systems from a variety of sources.
In some cases these were taken from reserve stocks while in others they were removed from frontline units leaving a capability gap which will take time to fill as the number of new weapons, especially SP artillery systems, that are currently in production is limited.
The logistical support of such a wide variety of equipment from different countries should also not be underestimated.
A number of donor nations have established facilities in Ukraine or close to its borders to help repair damaged equipment so that it can be returned as quickly as possible to the front line.
Some weapons supplied are elderly. For example the ex-British Army AS90 SPGs were built over 30 years ago and some parts may be difficult to obtain today, but perhaps 3D printing may help. The UK can no longer supply new barrels unless they are taken from non-running AS90s.
One aspect that came up at the conference again and again was the need to increase 155mm ammunition production in the West, and at last this is being achieved, but there have been shortages of energetics (explosives) and propellant as the number of sources are limited.
Very few contractors can supply a complete 155mm ammunition package as this includes the projectile, of which there are many types, modular charge system, fuze, of which there are also many types, and the primer.
All of these have to be coordinated so that the Ukraine receives the right combination and it takes time for this to come from overseas, especially the US, and reach frontline artillery units.
One US speaker in Paris stated that 155mm projectile production had been rapidly ramped up there and was running at 40,000 in April 2024 and will reach 60,000 by August and go even higher later in the year.
Charge production has also been increased and for every 155mm artillery projectile the US is providing four modular charge systems.
It has also been revealed that Ukraine has successfully deployed the Franco-Swedish BONUS 155mm top attack projectile as well as M982 Excalibur. Both are expensive and only used against high-value targets.
Meanwhile many countries in Europe have already taken the decision to increase their indirect fire capability. Sweden in the not-too-distant past was only going to field 24 BAE Systems Bofors Archer 155mm artillery systems.
This has now been increased to 72 units with the new ones based on an RMMV HX series 8x8 platform, rather than a Volvo 6x6. This will be the basis for all future Archer models and is currently being tested to meet a Swiss Army requirement.
The French Army took delivery of 77 Nexter CAESAR 155mm systems based on an Arquus Sherpa 6x6 platform. This left one regiment equipped with the older AUF1 based on a modified AMX-30 tank chassis.
Above: The latest version of the CAESAR is the Mk II which has the same 155mm/52cal weapon system but is based on a new Arquus 6x6 chassis with protective cab. (Photo: KNDS France)
France had already donated a batch of CAESARs to Ukraine and has placed a contract with KNDS for 109 of the latest Mk IIs which will be the basis for all new exports.
This has the same 155mm/52cal ordnance but is mounted on a new Arquus 6x6 chassis with more powerful engine and protected cab and will enable the French Army to have just one 155mm artillery system in service.
A speaker from the German Army stated that there would be a major expansion of the service’s indirect fire capability over the next few years. The current fleet of 121 PzH 2000s will grow to a total of 289 155mm howitzers overall, including those used for training and the maintenance float.
They will be a mix of upgraded PzH 2000s and the RCH-155 based on the Boxer 8x8 which is now in production for Ukraine, but first deliveries for Germany are not expected until around 2029. The UK has also selected the RCH-155/Boxer combination.
Germany’s existing 36 M270-series MLRS will be increased to 76 launchers overall, for which there are a number of options including HIMARS plus bids from Rheinmetall/Lockheed Martin and KNDS/Elbit with both tracked and wheeled options. All of these would support rockets with a much longer range of up to 300km.
Hanwha’s K9 Thunder has become the best-selling tracked SP and is currently deployed or on order for Australia, Egypt, Finland, India, Norway, Poland, South Korea and Turkey.
Production of the current K9A1 will run through to 2027 and will be followed by the K9A2 which is currently at the R&D stage according to the team leader for artillery programmes in Korea’s Defense Acquisition Programme Administration.
This will have many improvements including a smaller crew, roof-mounted RWS and a longer 155mm ordnance for greater range.
Given the long life of artillery systems, especially SP ones, such capability insert technology upgrades must be considered essential.
A further theme at the conference was the move to use shoot-and-scoot tactics to avoid counter-battery fire.
Here, the SP artillery system would be located in a well-camouflaged hide, move to a fire position, carry out its mission and return to cover, but in the snow or mud its tracks could be identified. Future artillery systems could well have a fire-on-the move capability and this has already been demonstrated by KNDS Germany
The US Army is in the process of modernising its artillery arm but suffered a major setback with the cancellation of the 155mm/58cal Extended Range Cannon Artillery which was to give the M109 series a step-change in range capability.
While many nations long ago switched from a 39cal barrel to a 52cal barrel, both of which meet the NATO Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding, the US has stuck with 39cal on the M109 for many, many years.
Other aspects of US Army field artillery are moving ahead including the Precision Strike Missile which can be fired from existing HIMARS and MLRS launchers with an upgraded fire control system. Production of the GMLRS missile and its associated M142 launcher are being increased to meet additional export requirements.
Another key problem for all artillery commanders is to find the target in the first place and afterwards make an accurate damage assessment.
While some Russian targets have been engaged with PGM most have been hit with conventional HE natures of ammunition plus smoke and illuminating rounds.
Precision fires are usually only deployed against targets such as command centres, air defence systems, radars or stocks of ammunition and fuel stored in the forward area.
Above: The US is now producing over 40,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition per month but Ukraine is still experiencing shortages of artillery rounds. (Photo: US Army)
Ukraine has been using artillery for suppressive fire but has been handicapped by shortages of ammunition, not only for its Western-supplied weapons but also for legacy Russian-designed 122mm and 152mm systems.
While 155mm ammunition has been ramped up and these factories on a war footing, it is not the case for many of the weapons and vehicles that the Ukraine is in urgent need of.
Artillery locating radars are another type of high-value targets and over 100 have been lost or damaged in Ukraine. These have to be switched on for only a short period or used in conjunction with others so that one is live, others are moving and another is ready to be activated.
One idea suggested at the conference is to use passive sound location devices and then confirm the position of threat weapons by switching on the radar briefly.
A final topic of the day was the future of towed artillery. Such systems take time to come into and out of action and are therefore especially vulnerable to counter-battery fire, but have nonetheless been widely deployed by Ukraine.
During some types of operation lightweight 155mm systems have a key role to play as they can be rapidly deployed by helicopters such as the CH-47 rather than by road where they are vulnerable to IEDs and mines.
They have lower through-life costs and are simpler to operate and maintain than their heavier SP counterparts.
For airborne and marine-type forces towed systems are still expected to be used due to their light weight and ease of deployment.
Other articles in this newsletter:
Rheinmetall rolls out GRID fire option on latest RCWS
New fleet, new simulators – why Australia is investing in AFV training
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