Renovation and Modification of Swedish Artillery System

Swedish Ministry of Defence, Today the Government submitted to the Riksdag Government Bill 2005/06:132, “Renovation and modification of the Haubits 77B artillery system”. 
 
To enable the Swedish Armed Forces to retain a future artillery capability that has good potential for both national and international use, the Government proposes that the Haubits (Howitzer) 77B artillery system should undergo renovation and modification. 
 
The Government's proposal starts out from the recognition that the present artillery system has shortcomings in several respects, including protection of personnel. According to estimates, delivery of the artillery system will begin in 2009 and will allow an initial capability to be available in 2011. 
 
The renovation and modification of Haubits 77B comprises the following steps: 
 
–The gun will be mounted on a civilian off-road vehicle (dumper), which will create improved tactical and combat mobility. 
 
–The gun unit will be upgraded so as to be able to fire precision ammunition, among other improvements. 
 
–A splinter-proof cabin will be mounted on the dumper to protect the personnel from both attack and harmful sound pressure. 
 
–The gun will be equipped with remote control capability by making the gun itself computer-controlled and by developing a new loading system, modular loading. This means that the personnel will never need to leave the splinter-proof cabin at any time in the course of combat. 
 
–The gun units will be made more autonomous, making it possible to cut back on support systems in the military unit. Less personnel will subsequently be needed in the artillery units. 
 
The Riksdag has prescribed an operational organisation with two artillery battalions. The Swedish Armed Forces have made the assessment that this corresponds to 24 gun units. 
 
The cost estimates that the project is based on assume that Sweden will cooperate with a partner to share the costs with. If no partner joins in, the Government may reconsider implementation of the project.