Source: Ken Dominy on Facebook
Whenever this particular image appeared on social media platforms, one could almost count on some anti-Ukrainian individual stating this is how the Ukrainian Army treats the aid they've gotten. The Ukrainian Army does field the Artillerisystem 08 Archer but the one in the image belongs to the 19th. Regiment Royal Artillery “The Scottish Gunners”. The accident took place in the summer of 2025 during exercises held at the Salisbury Plain Training Area, Wiltshire, England.
The reason the British Army is utilizing a Swedish artillery platform (14 in all to date) is due to the fact Britain first donated 32 British AS90 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH) to Ukraine in 2023. However, a report by Ivan Khomenko for United24 Media dated May 5, 2025 discussed that the British Army fully retired the AS90 and sent the entirety of the fleet (approximately 92 vehicles) to Ukraine with the second and third waves of deliveries occurring in April 2024 and September 2024 respectively. The report says 68 combat ready AS90 vehicles have been issued, divided up between the 58th. Motorized Brigade “Ivan Vyhovskyi”, 117th. Heavy Mechanized Brigade, and the 151st. Mechanized Brigade. It should be mentioned the German Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker states 66 AS90s were delivered rather than 68. Returning to the United24 Media article, the remainder of the AS90 vehicles were not combat ready (having been in storage) and are to be utilized for parts to keep the deployed AS90s combat ready.
The tipped over cab illustrates well the articulated nature of the Archer which uses the chassis of a Volvo A30D dump truck. The connection joint permits the cab to steer 45 degrees to the left or right of center and while there is a measure of vertical articulation, it has its limits and clearly, that limit was exceeded. Although it appears like the underside of the cab has some form of blast deflecting shaping, this is the same as on the A30D. The Volvo AH 64 front axle is clear to see and all of the Archer's axles feature transversal differential locks, fully floating axle shafts, and planetary hub reductions. The Archer uses 750/65R25 low-profile tires which provide better stability, traction, and improved steering performance. The Fälthaubits 77, fitted in the rear mounted turret, is in travel position, the barrel housed within is covered travel lock. Beneath the turret can be seen one of the two stabilizers, also in traveling position.
For further information on the Artillerisystem 08 Archer, visit:
