The Bundeswehr has decided to purchase 155-mm wheeled RCH 155 self-propelled artillery systems by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

Soldat&Technik reported on this.

As the Bundeswehr wanted to use a market-based model if possible, due to the high time pressure for the procurement of a wheeled ACS, a search was conducted on the market for suitable systems.

The Bundeswehr required that the ACS be based on a wheeled vehicle already in service, and the use of the 155-mm Panzerhaubitze 2000 gun was also required.

After the RCH 155 was selected for procurement, a technical excellence analysis was conducted. The ACS reportedly passed it with flying colors in the first half of 2023.

The RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery system from the German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann company. Photo from open sources

Rheinmetall’s competing development based on the HX truck chassis has not yet reached the required level of technological sophistication for its purchase.

In an interview with a US trade portal, a Rheinmetall representative said that the development of its own wheeled self-propelled artillery system is on schedule, and the first shot should be fired next year.

Although the military has declared a need for 168 wheeled self-propelled artillery systems, the funds currently available for procurement, which is about €1.3-1.4 billion, will only cover half of it.

Insiders suggest that Germany is planning to introduce a bill for €25 million, which is necessary for the procurement.

The procurement of the RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery systems may take place in the period between 2026 and 2031.

RСH 155 in Ukraine

Ukraine has become the first customer of the RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery system in the amount of 18 units. The German Federal Government funded the purchase. The deal is estimated at €216 million.

Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, made this request to Germany in July 2022.

In January 2023, it was reported that KMW had started the production of the RCH 155 for Ukraine.

The RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery system from the German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann company. Photo from open sources

The first ACSs will be delivered in the first quarter of 2024, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2025.

RСH 155

RCH 155 is developed on the chassis of the GTK Boxer wheeled armored personnel carrier with an 8×8 wheel arrangement.

The system has an automated AGM turret artillery module with a German PzH ​​2000 self-propelled howitzer artillery unit.

RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery system during testing, Germany. Photo credits: Nicholas Drummond.

Since the AGM module is autonomous, there are only two operators in the RCH 155 combat crew. The ammunition of the AGM module is 30 rounds.

The full weight of the ACS is 39 tons, and the weight of the AGM module is 12.5 tons. The system is equipped with an MTU 815 hp diesel engine.

The manufacturer stated that the range of fire is 40 km and up to 52 km with V-LAP projectiles. The self-propelled guns are also capable of using VULCANO and EXCALIBUR long-range projectiles.

Germany’s planned budget for 2024 lacks more than five billion euros to help Ukraine.

The journalists of the German BILD have obtained a document from the Bundeswehr, that contains the calculation of the allocated funds.

Military assistance is paid from the “general financial management” budget.

According to records, Germany has allocated €4 billion for Ukraine in 2024.

€3.1 billion has been allocated for previously promised aid. €770 million is reserved for the German Foreign Ministry and its assistance to Ukraine.

This leaves only €120 million for new military projects in 2024.

However, the need is much higher: the German Ministry of Defense expects additional requests for assistance from Kyiv for €5.22 billion.

The document specifies what more funds should be allocated for:

• €880 million – for air defense;
• €675 million for armored vehicles;
• €935 million for protective equipment;
• €2.34 billion – to ensure the viability of equipment (repair, spare parts, logistics).

The budget for 2024 has to be finalized in mid-November. Negotiations are likely to continue until then.

In August, it was reported that Germany plans to provide Ukraine with up to €5 billion in military aid annually until 2027.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said that the German government has included assistance for Ukraine, including military aid, in its budget planning until 2027.

Christian Lindner during his visit to Kyiv. Photo credits: Getty Images

“For the next few years, we have already firmly planned further assistance for Ukraine in our budget planning. The government already agreed on this a few weeks ago, and I have no doubt that this will also be confirmed by our parliament in the coming months,” Lindner said.

Ukrainian pilots will soon be flying real F-16 fighter jets under the guidance of instructors.

Yurii Ihnat, Spokesperson of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, made the corresponding statement.

Spokesperson of the Ukrainian Air Force noted that Ukraine’s international partners have noticed the pilots’ rapid mastery of the training program.

“We expect that the first group of pilots who are currently training on simulators, flight simulators that fully reproduce the cockpit, will soon be flying real F-16 fighter jets under the guidance of instructors. This should happen in the near future,” Ihnat said.

Currently, the pilots are at the stage of transferring to a fighter jet, first with an instructor, and then independently after this training.

Yurii Ihnat. Photo from open sources

“In Belgium, the first group of pilots who had a passing grade in English took part in the training. We also had to brush up on aviation terminology, as all commands and controls in the F-16 are in English,” he said.

The Air Force spokesperson also noted that international partners have noticed that our pilots were quickly mastering the training program.

According to Ihnat, this was facilitated by the home training that the pilots had received before traveling abroad.

As previously reported, Denmark and the Netherlands will hand over F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine after the training of Ukrainian pilots.

On August 20, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that the country planned to send 19 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, the first six closer to the New Year.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Mette Frederiksen against the background of the Danish F-16 fighter. August 2023. Denmark. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the Netherlands would provide 42 fighter jets. The fighter jets will be sent after the conditions are met, including the provision of the necessary infrastructure and the completion of pilot training.

The Belgian Defense Minister also announced that Belgian F-16 fighter jets would be sent to Ukraine in 2025.

Training and formation of new Mobile AA Teams is underway in northern Ukraine.

This was announced by Lieutenant General Serhiy Naiev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Such Mobile AA Teams are on duty around the clock to defend against Russian cruise missiles and drones in threatened areas.

According to the commander, “the formation and training of new Mobile AA Teams in the Northern Operational Zone is quite effective.”

Kamikaze drone Shahed-136. Illustrative photo

Naiev noted that this was made possible thanks to new modern foreign-made weapons arriving in Ukraine from partner countries.

The Lieutenant General emphasizes that Mobile AA Teams play an important role in protecting Ukraine’s airspace.

“Day and night, 24/7, these crews go on missions to destroy enemy air targets. The anti-aircraft machine guns are an adequate response to the enemy’s strategy of depleting our air defense system,” says Serhiy Naiev.

It is noted that the Russians are counting on a stockpile of expensive anti-aircraft missiles to shoot down their UAVs.

“Instead, an anti-aircraft machine gun system allows you to solve a combat task using relatively inexpensive ammunition,” the statement said.

Mobile AA Teams

With the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mobile AA Teams were created to quickly strengthen air defense.

Ukrainian Mobile AA Teams

To ensure the mobility, such teams mostly use off-road vehicles equipped with large-caliber machine guns and small-caliber anti-aircraft guns. They are also reinforced by soldiers with man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

The Viktor mobile air defense system of the Ukrainian military, 2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Command

Every time an enemy air attack begins, Mobile AA Teams are already on full alert to shoot down Russian cruise missiles and drones.

China is ahead of its plans to produce nuclear warheads, increasing the pace of its nuclear development.

This is reported in the annual report of the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Pentagon’s report on China’s military power says that Beijing is exceeding previous forecasts of how fast it is building up its nuclear weapons arsenal.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, as of May 2023, China had more than 500 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, being 100 more than last year.

The U.S. Department of Defense believes that China is likely to double this number to more than 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, and that the number is expected to grow.

According to last year’s report, Beijing is rapidly modernizing its nuclear forces and intends to almost quadruple the number of warheads. The Pentagon estimates that China will have 1,000 warheads by 2030 and 1,500 by 2035.

China’s nuclear arsenal is still much smaller than those of the United States and Russia. According to the independent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, as of January, Russia had 5,889 nuclear warheads, while the United States had 5,244.

Scaling up the nuclear infrastructure

China is also expanding and investing in the infrastructure needed to support its growing nuclear arsenal.

According to the report, new reactors and nuclear fuel reprocessing plants for the production of plutonium are being used to produce nuclear weapons.

In addition, the construction of three new silo complexes for 300 new intercontinental ballistic missiles is likely to be completed in 2022. It is noted that “at least some” missiles have already been loaded into the silo complexes.

Non-nuclear threat

The published report also mentions China’s possible development of a new intercontinental missile system with a non-nuclear warhead that would allow it to “threaten conventional strikes against targets in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska.” This hitherto unprecedented instrument of warfare could expand China’s capabilities in a potential non-nuclear conflict.

The Pentagon emphasizes that it currently sees no signs that China is abandoning its “no first use of nuclear weapons” policy.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have begun to use American Scorpion self-propelled mortars in battles.

The use of this new mortar was showcased by the soldiers of the Kraken special unit.

The details of the engagement and the number of self-propelled mortars received is not disclosed.

However, it is known that the Ukrainian defenders have recently destroyed a large number of Russian soldiers who attacked Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region.

Then the soldiers of the Kraken special unit jointly with the friendly units of the Defense Forces participated in repelling the attack.

This 120mm mortar is mounted on the chassis of an upgraded civilian Land Cruiser SUV.

The Scorpion itself is actually a localized version of the Spanish Alacran 120mm self-propelled mortar from Global Military Products.

The same system was chosen for Ukrainian Bars-8MMK mortars.

The system is equipped with a fully digital fire control system, which provides automatic aiming and re-aiming after each shot, allowing for a deviation of up to 2 meters per 1 km.

Scorpion self-propelled mortar of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. October 2023. Ukraine. A frame from the video of the Kraken unit

One of the main strengths of the installation is its high mobility.

The system can be deployed in as little as 30 seconds, and after the shot, the crew can leave the position in under 20 seconds. The wheelbase provides a quick change of positions with its own stroke.

Alacran 120mm self-propelled mortar. Illustrative photo

The mortar itself is capable of firing at a maximum distance of up to 8 kilometers with a firing rate of up to 12 shots.

The Ukrainian Air Force has showcased the use of the MIM-23 Hawk air defense system.

The video footage of the anti-aircraft missile launches was released by the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk.

The system was used to shoot down air targets during the Russian shelling of Ukraine on the night of Monday, October 23.

The commander emphasizes that Western weapons have proven and continue to prove their effectiveness on the battlefield!

HAWK MIM-23. 2011. Germany. Photo credits: murphman61

“The video shows the combat operation of the American HAWK air defense system last night, which, along with more modern air defense systems of the allies, is defending the Ukrainian sky!” the statement reads.

Mykola Oleshchuk thanked the defenders of Ukrainian skies for the current result of their combat work.

The first HAWK air defense systems arrived in Ukraine last year. They were donated by Spain as part of military aid.

In 2022, Spain promised to transfer six such American-made air defense systems to Ukraine.

Also, in early October 2023, the Spanish government announced plans to deliver six more M-192 launchers for MIM-23 Hawk air defense systems to Ukraine.

Taiwanese MIM-23 Hawk. Photo from open sources

In July of this year, it was reported that the United States was buying decommissioned MIM-23 Hawk Phase III aircraft from Taiwan for Ukraine. However, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense did not confirm the information at the time.

MIM-23 HAWK air defense system

MIM-23 Hawk is a U.S. medium-range anti-aircraft missile system manufactured by Raytheon. It was adopted by the United States in 1960, and since then, it has undergone several modernization programs. It has three generations, namely: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III.

American MIM-23 HAWK anti-aircraft missile system. Photo from open sources

The first version of the air defense system had a range of up to 25 km and an altitude of up to 14 km. After modernization, the maximum target interception range was increased to 40 km, while a maximum interception altitude became 18 km.

Ukrainian sailors have joined the Joint Warrior international exercises, taking place in UK waters.

This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Navy.

This week, Ukrainian sailors have begun practical actions and maneuvers as part of the Joint Warrior-23-II exercises, which are held within the territorial waters of Great Britain.

From the naval forces of Ukraine, the headquarters of the tactical mine action group and the Cherkasy and Chernihiv minesweepers were involved.

Minesweepers in British waters, October 23, 2023. Photo credits: Ukrainian Navy

It is worth noting that Ukrainian ships are sailing under the flag of the UK, although having the flag of the Ukrainian Navy at the same time.

The absence of the Ukrainian flag on the ships may be explained by the fact that they are still part of the British fleet, although they were transferred to Ukraine. This could be due to the basing of ships in British ports, and, accordingly, operational subordination to the local admiralty.

Cherkasy (M311) minesweeper in the waters of Great Britain, October 23, 2023. Photo credits: Ukrainian Navy

This is not the first such phenomenon in world history. Similarly, in November 1939, the Polish fleet, without the possibility of returning to its own ports due to the occupation of the country, was forced to relocate to the United Kingdom.

Then, according to the Polish-British naval agreement, the Polish naval detachment was commanded by Polish officers, the ships were equipped with Polish crews in Polish uniforms and insignia in ranks and were subject to Polish regulation, at the same time being under the operational control of the British Admiralty. The ships sailed under the state flags of the Polish Navy and the United Kingdom.

Training of the Ukrainian Navy

The report notes that participation in the exercises takes place in the framework of comprehensive training of these Ukrainian units under the leadership of mentors of the Royal Navy of Great Britain.

The main purpose of the training is for the personnel of the crews and the headquarters of the tactical mine action group to achieve the appropriate level of readiness for the execution of tasks as intended, as well as interoperability with the mine units of the partner countries.

In addition, the issues of planning and conducting mine action according to NATO standards are being worked out. The aim is to gain experience in the international environment during joint multinational operations.

Chernihiv (M310) minesweeper in the waters of Great Britain, October 23, 2023. Photo credits: Ukrainian Navy

The participants included the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force together with the British ground forces. Also, in addition to Ukraine, ships and vessels from the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Germany, and Denmark take part in the exercises.

Volunteers from the Czech Republic have launched a fundraiser to purchase 1,000 RPG-75M disposable anti-tank grenade launchers for the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The fundraiser was launched as part of the “Gift for Putin” project.

It was timed to coincide with the 55th anniversary of the invasion to Czechoslovakia by the USSR and Warsaw Pact troops.

Grenade launchers are to be purchased for the 41st Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To do this, the Czech initiative plans to raise CZK 12 million (over $500,000).

RPG-75M grenade launcher. Photo from open sources

The RPG-75 portable, disposable grenade launcher was developed in the 1970s in Czechoslovakia. It is now manufactured by the Czech company ZEVETA Bojkovice a.s.

RPG-75M grenade launcher. Photo from open sources

The grenade launcher is designed to destroy enemy tanks and other armored vehicles. It fires a 68 mm grenade. The Ukrainian troops are already using this weapon to fight the Russian invaders. Since 2022, the grenade launchers have been supplied to the Defense Forces as part of military aid from other countries.

RPG-75M grenade launcher

The launcher of the RPG-75 grenade launcher is a telescopic, two-part launch tube. It is equipped with sighting devices, triggers, firing and safety mechanisms, as well as stops and latches connecting the two parts of the launcher.

The RPG-75 grenade launcher’s sighting devices consist of a scope and a sight. In the field position, the sight is attached to the launcher and held in place by a rubber band.

Preparing the RPG-75 for a shot

The rotating reticle has the appearance of a plate with a reticle for aiming and a slot, which makes it easier to determine the distance to the target.

The reticle consists of one vertical line and four horizontal lines, the positions of which correspond to shooting distances of 100, 200, 250, and 300 meters. One of the lines has two marks for correcting the lateral movement of the target.

RPG-75M grenade launcher. Photo from open sources

Specifications of RPG-75:

• Bore diameter: 68 mm;
• Weight: 3.2 kg;
• Length (folded for transport): 633 mm, length (combat ready): 890 mm;
• Maximum firing range: 300 m;
• Maximum range: 1000 m;
• Penetration: 330 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA);
• Time of flight to autodestruction: 3 – 6 seconds.