Sweden proceeds with buying 18 new Archer SPHs for Ukraine

The Swedish government is proceeding with plans to buy 18 new Archer 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) from BAE Systems as part of its 18th support package to Ukraine.

The news was formally announced by Swedish Defence Minister Dr Pål Jonson during a visit to the BAE Systems Bofors site in Karlskoga, Sweden, on 7 April.

Jonson first presented the plan procure the 18 Archer systems for Ukraine on 13 March 2025 in a package worth around USD 300 million (EUR 274 million). Sweden’s 18th support package for Ukraine also includes five ARTHUR weapon-locating radars, RBS 70 manportable air defence systems and Tridon Mk2 air defence systems, which comprise a turreted Bofors 40 Mk4 40 mm L70 naval gun, day-night acquisition sensors and a fire-control system mounted on a high-mobility truck.

The Swedish Army originally acquired 48 Archer systems: 24 systems ordered in 2009 and 24 systems, originally intended for Norway, ordered in 2016.

Fourteen systems were then sold to the British Army under an interim artillery replacement programme in March 2023, when it also emerged that the Swedish government would transfer eight systems to Ukraine.

In September 2023 it was announced that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration had contracted BAE Systems to supply 48 new Archer systems for the Swedish Army.

The Archer system can fire the BONUS anti-armour munition out to a range of 35 km, conventional munitions out to 40 km, and precision-guided Excalibur rounds to in excess of 50 km. Its automated magazines can hold a mix of different ammunition types and modular charges needed to support any particular fire mission.