Live fire success for fully automated 155mm howitzer

The demonstration was attended by high-ranking officials of the armed forces of the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Hungary.

Both companies signed a cooperation agreement in 2022 to develop, manufacture, and market the automated wheeled self-propelled howitzer system led by Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH.

As part of that development, a 155mm L52 Rheinmetall gun was integrated onto the unmanned, fully robotic artillery turret of Elbit’s HX 10x10 tactical truck system.

The system will compete for Germany’s “Future System, Indirect Fire, Medium-Range” program to modernise the Bundeswehr’s artillery capability. Interest has also been expressed from Hungary and the UK’s “Mobile Fires Platform” program.

It will next undertake an advanced phase of the verification process, while modifications are carried out to customise it to European operational requirements and the German regulatory approval process.

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Rheinmetall vehicle systems division chief John Abunassar and Elbit Systems general manager Yehuda Vered said alongside the L52 gun and advanced A1 version, a larger and longer L60 gun is in development for the wheeled self-propelled howitzer to attain ranges up to 83 kilometres.

“We are proud to present the world with this advanced 155mm artillery system”, they said in a joint statement.

“The successful demonstration of the automated howitzer highlights the synergies and innovative technologies of the Rheinmetall-Elbit team; a team that is uniquely positioned to supply the armed forces of Germany and other nations with an outstanding new tube artillery capability.

“We are convinced that this joint German-Israeli project will contribute to strengthening ties between our two nations and their armed forces.”

Earlier this month, Elbit Systems was awarded a $71 million, three-year contract to supply and maintain Manoeuvre Synthetic Trainer systems for the UK Ministry of Defence. Those simulators operate Boxer armoured vehicles and Challenger 3 tanks under the British Army’s Project Vulcan.

The company has also recently announced a €20 million defence export agreement with the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro to supply 120mm mortar munition systems for 4x4 armoured vehicles and training equipment.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.