DTN News: Swedish Armed Forces Will Acquire 24 Archer Truck-Mounted Guns
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source I
nfo) STOCKHOLM, Sweden -
August 24, 2009: The government decided on Wednesday that the Armed Forces may order twenty-four Archer artillery pieces, in a joint acquisition project carried out in cooperation with Norway.
The Swedish government has approved procurement of 24 Archer truck-mounted guns, clearing the way for a joint order with Norway of 48 vehicles. (Swedish Armed Forces photo)
“It is gratifying that the Government has taken this decision; it was awaited, "says Torbjörn Larsson, commander of Artilleriregementet (Artillery Regiment, A 9), the Swedish Army’s center of competence for artillery.
Shortly before mid-summer this year, the Norwegian Stortinget decided to authorize the purchase of twenty-four Archers for the Norwegian armed forces. This was one of the prerequisites for Sweden to also buy these artillery pieces, manufactured by BAE Systems in Bofors.
“This decision came just in time, so now we can continue to work with Norway to prepare for the service introduction," says Torbjörn Larsson.
Costs are shared Thanks to the cooperation with Norway, development and maintenance costs are shared between the two countries. Furthermore, by acquiring the same system Norway and Sweden can also benefit from cooperation on training, exercises, maintenance and future modifications and upgrades.
Development of Archer has been a long process, which started in 2002. Sweden’s old artillery system, Howitzer 77B, was about to reach its retirement age, and there was a need for a new one.
The choice fell on the development of a fully mobile, self-propelled system based on a standard Volvo construction articulated dumper truck, and to be able to use some parts from Howitzer 77B.
Will be ready this year Two experimental demonstrator vehicles were completed in 2005; they have been carefully tested and rebuilt along the way. Two prototypes will be ready this year, and the first production vehicles will start to be delivered in 2011.
“It is good that it is ready. We will have one of the world's best artillery. It fits well into the new flexible response system and can be used to great advantage in international operations," says Björn Isaksson, A 9's project manager for the Archer system.
Characteristics: Archer:
Armored articulated dumper vehicle
Protection against small arms fire, mines, NBC, and fire protection
Maximum speed is 70 km/h on the road.
The crew consists of three to four people: commander, driver and one or two operators.
Caliber is 155mm (or 15.5 cm.)
Built on a Volvo articulated dumper truck
Range up to 50 km, and rate of fire is ten to twelve shots per minute
Source: DTN News / UPI
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - April 1, 2010: Defense giant BAE
has clinched a $200 million contract to make 48 Archer self-propelled artillery gun systems for Swedish and Norwegian armed forces.
The deal was sealed days after the company lost a major contract to supply armored vehicles to the British army. Even so, the deal was part of a string of contracts that BAE Systems -- Europe's biggest military contractor -- was awarded by the British ministry of defense.
The contract for the 155-millimeter self-propelled artillery guns systems is in line with a decision by the British military brass to develop a "a medium-caliber cannon by CTA International, an Anglo-French joint venture between BAE Systems and Nexter Group, formerly known as Giat Industries, The Wall Street Journal reported.
BAE officials said the first operational systems would be delivered to both Sweden and Norway in October, with production continuing over the following two years. The deal marks a much-need lifeline for a $146 million development program launched by BAE in 2003.
"Archer is an important program for the armed forces of both countries and for BAE Systems' land business, as it is in a core area for us and will provide a springboard for future exports," Mike Smith, managing director of BAE Systems, Global Combat Systems Weapons said in a company statement.
"We appreciate the effort and cooperation that the FMV and FLO -- the national procurement agencies -- have invested in ensuring the procurement of the most advanced and capable artillery system for the Swedish and Norwegian armies."
Archer is an advanced and automated artillery gun system designed for rapid deployment and high mobility in the most demanding operational scenarios, a company statement said.
Its digital fire control system and automatic gun-laying capability allows a response to calls for fire within 30 seconds while the ordnance is securely stowed and ready for rapid redeployment within 30 seconds of the completion of a fire mission, the statement added.
Earlier this week, the British company also secured a multimillion-dollar deal to produce a new generation of combat ships for the British navy as well as construction of the fifth Astute-class submarine.
Many countries, primarily in Europe, have moved to increasing invest in all aspects of their military. The upgrade program currently prevailing is the F-35, replacing outdated F-16 combat aircraft in many NATO countries.
BAE joined forces with Saab in 1995 to co-market the Gripen combat aircraft but the venture ended nine years later. BAE retained its majority stake in Saab, although half of that was sold this year a holding company of Sweden's influential Wallenburg family.
