Artillery: Procurement
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Next-generation remote controlled artillery systems to transform British Army, published on 13 May 2026, what proportion of the RCH 155 programme’s supply chain expenditure will be spent with UK-based suppliers.
Answered by Luke Pollard
Approximately 33% of the UK Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) platform value will be in the UK. Initial production will take place in Germany, where existing facilities will allow for faster delivery. However, once UK facilities are opened, such as Rheinmetall’s new gun hall in Telford, the UK share of supply chain activity is expected to increase.
In addition, the RCH 155 programme includes up to £2 billion of through-life support costs, the UK proportion of which will be determined through future contracting, representing a substantial opportunity for long-term UK industrial participation.
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