Amid freezing temperatures of -3° Celsius near the Arctic Circle, 350 British personnel joined soldiers from 28 countries in one of Europe’s largest NATO artillery exercises. The twelve-day event, commencing on 14 November, highlighted the Archer’s capabilities as a next-generation artillery system, with a firing range of 50km and a rate of more than eight rounds per minute. Also showcased were the UK’s TAIPAN radar and Multiple Launch Rocket System, which can launch up to 12 rockets or missiles in under a minute.
The exercise is part of the broader NATO DYNAMIC FRONT 25 series, which will span four more countries in the coming months. Its objective is to enhance the interoperability of allied artillery systems, spanning regions from the Arctic Circle to the Black Sea. The initiative supports the UK’s ‘NATO first’ defence strategy, which prioritises European security and includes a commitment to allocate 2.5% of GDP to defence spending.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for the Armed Forces, praised the exercise, stating: “The successful live firing of the powerful Archer Mobile Howitzer shows we are equipping our Armed Forces with the latest battle-winning weaponry to help keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad. This joint exercise reiterates our unshakeable commitment to NATO and demonstrates our collective readiness to meet emerging threats and deter aggression across Europe.”
For Finland, this exercise marks a significant moment as it is the first major international military drill held in the country since it became a NATO member earlier this year. The event coincides with Ukraine marking 1,000 days of the ongoing conflict following Russia’s invasion, underscoring NATO’s collective stance on deterring aggression.
The Archer artillery system, developed by BAE Systems, is a state-of-the-art, fully automated weapon designed for rapid deployment and mobility. Its features include the ability to fire six rounds and move 500m in under two minutes, with the crew remaining protected in an armoured cabin. The system is already in operational use with the Swedish Army and has been integrated into the British Army to replace the AS90 howitzers donated to Ukraine.
As part of NATO’s broader strategic vision, the UK recently signed a defence roadmap with Estonia, reinforcing its commitment to the alliance’s eastern flank. This includes thousands of troops held at high readiness and joint development of long-range missile capabilities to strengthen collective air defence.
The DYNAMIC FRONT 25 series demonstrates NATO’s readiness to integrate advanced technologies and coordinate rapid responses. By deploying cutting-edge systems like the Archer, the British Army underscores its role in bolstering the alliance’s operational effectiveness and deterring emerging threats.
