UK to send 30 AS-90 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine along with Challenger 2 tanks

On January 14, the UK officially confirmed that it would send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.Together with them

The Armed Forces will receive self-propelled artillery units.

What is known

Yesterday's press release mentioned only"additional artillery systems". Now a clarification has been made on the government website. Ukraine will receive 30 AS-90 self-propelled howitzers of 155 mm caliber. Official details will be released tomorrow, January 16, by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The British government website states thatthe provision of the Challenger 2 and AS-90 to Ukraine is the beginning of a change in the nature of British military support. It is expected that the scale of support in 2023 will exceed the volume of military assistance in 2022.

As for the AS-90 itself, this is a 155 mm armoredhowitzer designed by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (a division of BAE Systems). The artillery system can hit targets at a distance of up to 25 km. The combat vehicle is equipped with a 660 horsepower diesel engine, which allows speeds up to 55 km/h on the highway.