Switzerland must make a decision

armasuisse has selected two candidates for the shortlist, whose systems will undergo an evaluation for the renewal of indirect fire support at medium range for the Swiss Army. It is planned to request procurement of one of the systems with the 2026 Army Message to Parliament. It will replace the M109 self-propelled howitzer, which was procured over 50 years ago.

The currently deployed M109 self-propelled howitzer will reach the end of its service life at the beginning of the 2030s and must be replaced with a modern successor system. Work on the "Artillery Platform and Effectors 2026" project began in 2017 with project initiation, and in 2019, the project contract followed. With the selection of systems for the evaluation phase, the project reaches another important milestone.

Shortlist Decision

Based on military requirements, armasuisse invited several manufacturers to submit their documents. The received information was analyzed and evaluated. For further evaluation, the systems of two manufacturers were determined:

• BAE Systems Bofors AB, Sweden, Archer 8x8 mobile howitzer,
• Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, RCH 155 AGM Artillery Gun with two possible carrier platforms (Boxer 8x8 / Piranha 8x8)

Project "Artillery Platform and Effectors 2026"

The "Artillery Platform and Effectors 2026" project aims to ensure the preservation and further development of the capability of indirect fire at medium range with increased range, precision, and mobility. Based on these requirements, armasuisse has been tasked to evaluate a suitable system based on a wheeled vehicle. The project scope includes, among others:

• Wheeled platform and effector for indirect fire support at medium range
• Integration into command and fire control systems
• Training and simulation systems
• Integration of communication systems
• Logistic support for the platform and effectors

Next Steps

With the decision for these systems, the areas of technology, deployment, and logistics will be further tested and analyzed during the evaluation phase using functional prototypes. These investigations and tests are planned for the years 2023 and 2024, both domestically and abroad. The procurement of one of the systems is intended to be requested with the Army Message 2026 armaments program.

Current M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer in Service for Over 50 Years

The currently deployed M109 self-propelled howitzers (official designation: 15.5 cm Panzerhaubitze M109 KAWEST WE) were procured in several tranches starting in 1968 and have since formed the backbone of the Swiss Army's motorized artillery. Over the course of its service life, the system has been adapted for deployment multiple times. The M109 self-propelled howitzer underwent a combat value enhancement (KAWEST) in 1995 and a maintenance program (WE) in 2012. The last measures are currently being implemented with a prolongation of use (NUV) in 2021 with the intention of being able to operate the system until the beginning of 2030, when it will be replaced by a new platform with effectors.

ARMASUISSE online