MADRID, March 16 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The UK Ministry of Defense has confirmed on Thursday that it will receive up to 14 Archer model artillery systems from Sweden to replace the 32 AS90 systems that London has supplied to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The UK Ministry of Defense has detailed in a statement that Swedish Archers will arrive on national territory throughout this month and that “they will be fully operational next April.” “Archer will contribute to a close support capability as part of our commitment to NATO,” he added.

The Archer has twice the maximum range of the AS90, greater operational mobility, higher availability and shorter action times. It is operated by a crew of three or four, requires fewer personnel than five AS90s, and benefits from a higher top speed. 70 kilometers per hour”, London has determined.

Regarding the maximum range of both systems, the Ministry of Defense has cited the example that the AS90 system has the capacity to “fire from central London to the M25”, the ring road around the British capital; whereas the Swedish Archers could reach Berkshire, some 50 kilometers from the town.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has stressed that while the UK continues to “double down” on its “unwavering” support for Ukraine, it is “critical” to replenish national capabilities. “The archer’s artillery system is very strong, protective and can be deployed quickly,” he said.

“This agreement with a close European ally will maintain the British Army’s requirements until the long-term Mobile Gunnery Platform enters service, a program we are working to accelerate,” Wallace said.

Finally, the Ministry of Defense assessed the fact that the agreement was finalized within a timeframe of “only two months”, thus indicating the swift response of the authorities to replace the systems supplied to Ukraine. “This emphasizes the strong ties with our Swedish allies,” they added from London.