The Swedish procurement authority FMV (Försvarets materielverk) has delivered the last modernized Archer artillery systems to the Swedish armed forces handed over. The manufacturer BAE Systems Bofors had comprehensively modernized the 6×6 systems – including a new command support system and a new carrier vehicle from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV).
With the handover, the Swedish army now has enough modernized systems to fully equip at least two artillery battalions. A total of 24 Archer systems have been upgraded to the latest Version C standard, meaning that the entire inventory has now been modernized.
“The fact that all Archer systems have now been upgraded to version C marks an important milestone in the further development of the Swedish armed forces’ artillery capabilities,” emphasizes Jonas Lotsne, Head of Army Materiel at FMV. “The modernization not only increases the reliability and operability of the systems, but also strengthens the operational effectiveness of the entire artillery unit.”
In mid-October, the first live firing with the modernized Archer 8×8 system took place on the southern firing range at Boden. Like its predecessor, this system was also developed by BAE Systems Bofors. The 155-millimeter howitzer is now integrated on an all-terrain 8×8 truck from RMMV, which enables significantly greater tactical mobility.
Representatives of the Artillery School (ArtSS), FMV, BAE Systems Bofors and RMMV took part in the premiere exercise.
“After the first firing exercise with the new 8×8 version, it is clear that the biggest advantage lies in the increased operational mobility,” explains Björn Bruce, development officer for the Archer system at the artillery school.
Mikael Dalin, deputy commander of the A 8 artillery regiment in Boden, also welcomes the modernization: “This is a very welcome development and a noticeable strengthening of the Swedish armed forces’ artillery capabilities.”
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