The UK has received the first upgraded M270 multiple launch rocket systems, marking the first step in modernizing its fleet.
A total of 61 M270 launchers and eight repair and recovery vehicles (RRVs) of the British Army are being upgraded to the A2 standard in four tranches, with final deliveries expected in 2029.
“Two launchers have now been delivered to the UK, and a further 13 launchers and two RRVs are currently on the production line for delivery in 2026,” UK Defence Minister Luke Pollard stated in a written reply.
The British Army currently operates 44 M270B1 launchers — its variant of the M270A1 — and four RRVs, with an additional 37 used launchers being procured from allies and museums.
A2 Upgrades
The M270A2 variant features an improved fire control system that enables compatibility with advanced munitions such as the Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and the Precision Strike Missile, offering ranges of 150 kilometers (93 miles) and 499 kilometers (310 miles), respectively.
The A1 variant can fire at a distance of up to 80 kilometers (50 miles).
Other upgrades include replacing the current 500-horsepower engine with a new 600-horsepower engine, along with an armored cab, a new transmission, and updated system components.
The armored cabin features energy-absorbing seats that provide additional protection against mine blasts and improvised explosive devices.
To Bolster Long-Range Fires
The fleet upgrade and expansion are seen as crucial to restoring the service’s long-range fires capability following the donation of its entire AS90 self-propelled howitzer fleet to Ukraine.
As an interim purchase, the UK has procured 14 Archer self-propelled howitzers from Sweden, while a long-term acquisition of the RCH 155 howitzer is still several years away.
Meanwhile, the UK is replenishing its stockpile of GMLRS munitions, with the first deliveries expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2026, Pollard stated in one of his replies.
The UK is also procuring Extended-Range GMLRS rockets, with the first deliveries expected in 2028.
