As reported by Army Technology on May 2, 2025, the British Army has officially withdrawn the AS90 Braveheart 155mm self-propelled howitzer from its inventory, concluding more than three decades of service for one of the UK’s most emblematic artillery platforms. This development comes as the United Kingdom completed the transfer of its remaining AS90 units to Ukraine, reinforcing Kyiv’s long-range firepower as the war against Russian forces intensifies.
Initially intended to remain operational into the 2030s, the AS90’s retirement was unexpectedly accelerated in response to Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs and the British Army’s transition towards newer, more capable artillery systems. In total, approximately 68 AS90s have been delivered in three tranches since 2023. The withdrawal of the AS90 does not leave a vacuum in the UK’s artillery capability. Instead, it marks the beginning of a transition period led by the Swedish-designed Archer system, which will serve as a bridge until the introduction of the RCH 155 under the UK’s Mobile Fires Platform program scheduled for deployment from 2029.