The agreement allows for the potential supply of up to 500 RCH 155 self-propelled howitzers. Moreover, deliveries under this agreement may be made not only to the Bundeswehr but also to foreign customers. While 500 RCH 155s is an impressive number, the Bundeswehr probably does not need that many at present.
Can you imagine trying to fight against an enemy who has 155mm artillery that can fire on the move operated by crews within an armored hull? How do you even begin to counter that or develop threatening counter artillery battery doctrine?
Well, drones seem like a valid counter. 24/7 seeing every movement and pinpoint strike capabilities over dozens of km for next to no money.
The future is drones AND artillery working together, if you think “drone beat artillery” like “paper beat rock” you aren’t understanding this from the right mindset at all.
You have to think of this as you are fighting against a highway-speed-capable armored 155mm howitzer somewhere 20km+ away connected and communicating with drones hunting you.
The measly munitions drone carry pale in comparison to a 155mm shell, so the drone is best used to spot the target…
The RCH can put several shells in the air with different arcs and charges, so they impact at the same time.
Drones have carried larger warheads than 155 mm for a while now. Unlike artillery, they usually hit exactly where they should plus often with live feed too.
Also, I never said it is an exclusive thing, no idea why you put that straw man up. They are a counter to that given how mobile, cheap and ubiquitous they are.
How does the drone get to the battlefield? How do you protect those support crew? You have to consider that along with the rapidity of artillery response.
https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=7zS3Yl0hu7Y
When you start to consider laser guidance on those shells from spotting unmanned assets the loop from being seen to having incoming fire is almost incomprehensibly short under optimum conditions. Counter battery calculations aren’t even that helpful unless you can act on it in literally seconds or minutes if you are lucky.
Fancy pictures, but who would use them at 13 km range in this kind of conflict? That would be suicidal.
It is called a gun raid, it is a military tactic that already exists as quite a fleshed out battle concept that relies primarily on a similar shortsightedness to yours in what defenders expect, by the time it is realized a vulnerable asset is near the frontline the artillery system has fulfilled its fire mission and there are now much bigger issues for the defenders to focus on.
Another commonly employed tactical method for offensive operations is the artillery raid. The artillery raid is a rapid air or rapid ground movement of elements into a position to attack a high- payoff target currently beyond the maximum range of available field artillery weapons. This could involve operations across the forward edge of the battle area. Normally, a raid is extremely short and does not involve sustained operations. A detailed plan, surprise, and speedy execution are key factors in a successful raid. Firing units will move forward only the number of vehicles necessary to accomplish the mission. When the fire mission is complete, the howitzer crews prepare the howitzers for movement.
https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/News-Article-View/Article/948203/the-gun-raid/
You counter it with your own?
Now neither of you can easily hit each other, and both suffer the same problems.