Another aspect highlighted in an exclusive interview with KNDS Deutchland's CEO Ralph Ketzel for Defense Express is the upcoming deliveries of the advanced wheeled self-propelled howitzers RCH 155 for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The total order portfolio for our military already consists of 54 units, with the first one scheduled for delivery in January 2025.
This raises questions about whether the production pace of the RCH 155 can be accelerated beyond the current two-year timeframe, as well as the advantages of these self-propelled artillery systems.
Regarding the first question, Ralph Ketzel, the CEO of KNDS Deutchland, emphasizes that the current production cycle for the RCH 155 is between 2 to 2.5 years, and it cannot be expedited because "the system works as it works." In other words, it is not advisable to "break the system" in an attempt to speed up the production of the RCH 155. Moreover, KNDS Deutchland itself is making necessary efforts to reduce this timeframe.
As for the second question concerning the characteristics and advantages of the RCH 155, the main point to highlight is that this self-propelled howitzer is designed based on the philosophy that the better-protected infantryman on the battlefield fights more effectively.
Accordingly, the philosophy of "infantry protection = effectiveness" governs such advantages of the RCH 155 as the ability to fire on the move, which other self-propelled howitzers in the world cannot do. Additionally, the level of automation of this artillery system requires only a two-person crew to operate.
Another advantage of the RCH 155 is its potential for modernization and the ability to improve this self-propelled howitzer based on the experience gained during its deployment in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Literally, Ralph Ketzel, the head of KNDS Deutchland, states, "First of all, one of the biggest challenges for everyone is to integrate detection means, drones, and command decision-making systems into the artillery system. We are getting closer to this and are pleased to be in constant contact with the Ukrainian army. Thus, we will undoubtedly have a digital component upgrade very soon.
In addition to digitalization and tactical aspects, we have, of course, learned other lessons. Therefore, we anticipate that there will be demands for other modifications, but not global ones, rather specific."
Finally, it is also worth noting that there were no political restrictions from the German government on the transfer of the latest RCH 155 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, despite the fact that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive these artillery systems first and significantly earlier than the Bundeswehr.