London: The United Kingdom and Germany have signed a joint defence deal worth about 70 million dollars to test and develop a new generation of mobile artillery systems, strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement focuses on the RCH 155 mobile artillery system, a modern 155 millimetre gun mounted on a wheeled armoured vehicle. The system is designed to fire accurately while on the move and can hit targets more than 70 kilometres away, offering greater speed and flexibility in combat situations.

Under the deal, the British Army will receive one early version of the system for testing, while the German Army will receive two units. These trials will help both countries study how the system performs in real conditions, including its mobility, accuracy and ease of use, before deciding on larger future purchases.

The RCH 155 is built on the Boxer 8x8 vehicle platform and uses advanced automation. It can fire up to eight rounds per minute and requires only two crew members, compared to older artillery systems that need larger teams. The vehicle is also capable of travelling long distances without refuelling, allowing rapid deployment over wide areas.

The system is being developed by European defence manufacturers, and officials say joint testing will help cut costs, reduce risks and speed up decision making. Sharing data and experience is expected to benefit both armies as they modernise their forces.

The deal comes as European countries place greater emphasis on mobile and highly responsive artillery, following lessons learned from recent conflicts. Defence officials from both sides said the cooperation reflects a shared goal of improving readiness and ensuring that future artillery systems meet the demands of modern warfare.