German Army Activates New Artillery Battalion to Field RCH-155 Self-Propelled Guns.

The Bundeswehr activated the 215th Artillery Battalion under the 21st Armored Brigade at Augustdorf, the first operational unit slated to field the RCH-155 wheeled 155 mm howitzer. The move accelerates Germany’s shift to fast, networked fires that integrate with NATO brigades while relieving tracked PzH 2000 formations.

Germany formally established the 215th Artillery Battalion at Rommel Barracks in Augustdorf, placing the unit under the 21st Armored Brigade and appointing Lieutenant Colonel Fabian Kolbe to lead its formation, according to local and brigade-level notices. The battalion is planned around the RCH-155 on the Boxer 8×8, giving the brigade an organic wheeled fires unit optimized for rapid displacement, digital fire control, and integration with NATO command systems.
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RCH-155 155mm self-propelled howitzer, remote gun module with 360° coverage (Picture source: Bundeswehr)

The reorganization of German artillery is not limited to administrative changes. It reflects a broader shift in how the Bundeswehr prepares for modern warfare. The RCH-155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm), mounted on an 8x8 Boxer armored chassis, is designed for rapid deployment and shoot-and-scoot tactics. The system combines firepower and mobility, whereas traditional tracked howitzers, such as the PzH 2000 are slower to reposition. Equipped with an autoloader and a fully remote-controlled turret, the RCH-155 can fire several shells in minutes and then move immediately to reduce exposure to counter-battery fire.

Organizationally, the 215th Artillery Battalion will include three firing batteries equipped with the RCH-155, as well as a support battery responsible for logistics, ammunition, and maintenance. This structure aligns with NATO standards, facilitating the unit’s integration into multinational operations. The new battalion falls under the 21st Armored Brigade, itself subordinate to the 1st Armored Division. Notably, it is the only brigade in the division with organic artillery. Other heavy artillery systems, such as the PzH 2000 and the M270 multiple launch rocket system, remain directly attached to the division, particularly within the 325th Artillery Battalion.

From a technical standpoint, the RCH-155 brings several advantages. Its 155 mm/L52 gun can engage targets up to 40 km with standard NATO ammunition and beyond 50 km with extended-range projectiles such as Vulcano or V-LAP. The digital fire-control system provides high accuracy and supports MRSI, enabling several shells to strike the same target at the same time. Operated by two soldiers seated in the Boxer’s front cabin, the system reduces crew exposure thanks to the fully teleoperated turret.

Mounted on the Boxer 8x8 chassis, the howitzer is designed for shoot-and-scoot: less than 20 seconds from road position to first round, up to 9 rounds per minute, then displacement in around 10 seconds to mitigate counter-battery risk. The platform offers 100 km/h on roads, about 700 km range, a 7.5 m turning radius via skid steering, and robust off-road mobility, supporting dispersed fires and rapid repositioning. The remotely operated artillery module provides 360-degree coverage at all elevations, automates laying and loading of projectiles and charges, and uses up to six modular charges. The computerized fire-control system, high-precision navigation (with or without GPS), and linkage to artillery C2 enable effective fires to roughly 54 km with extended-range ammunition. Standard equipment also includes air conditioning, an NBC protection system, and engine-compartment fire suppression.

The Boxer’s forward crew cell provides STANAG 4569 Level 4 protection; the multilayer floor resists 10 kg of TNT detonated under a wheel or the hull, and the frontal arc is stated to withstand 30×165 mm armor-piercing rounds. The lightweight turret protects against 7.62 mm fire and shell splinters while keeping the crew under armor. Designed to withstand counter-battery fire, defend fixed positions, and conduct limited firing on the move, the system is in service or on order with Germany, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, strengthening NATO’s mobile long-range fires.

This acquisition reflects a move toward a more mobile, dispersed, and survivable artillery doctrine. Compared with the heavier and better protected but slower-to-reposition PzH 2000, the RCH-155 enables rapid strikes and immediate withdrawal, suitable for high-mobility combat. It can be transported by rail or by air, expanding rapid-deployment options for the Bundeswehr. Integrated with digital command-and-control systems, the RCH-155 is intended to operate within a networked fires architecture, necessary for NATO cooperation.

This formation is part of a broader German rearmament effort accelerated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The decision to acquire 168 RCH-155 systems and to increase the PzH 2000 fleet from 134 to 166 units indicates a shift in threat perception in Europe. In parallel, Germany plans to purchase 36 M270 MARS launchers and is closely examining the EuroPULS system, which would enhance deep-strike capacity in a multinational framework. The project includes logistical cooperation with the Netherlands, aiming to pool systems, spare parts, and training.

The activation of the 215th Artillery Battalion extends beyond the national context. It sends a clear signal to NATO allies and potential adversaries that Germany intends to act as a central European defense actor. While debates continue in Berlin over defense spending and arms exports, the Bundeswehr is carrying out a significant reorganization. With the RCH-155, Germany is not only updating equipment; it is redefining its approach to delivering fires in a European theater shaped by speed, precision, and interoperability.