US Army Seeks Halt on M109A7 Paladin Howitzer Purchases
The US Army plans to halt new acquisitions of M109A7 Paladin howitzers to explore alternatives, citing operational speed requirements. The proposed budget for fiscal 2027 includes only $84 million for the Paladin line, significantly down from previous funding.
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The US Army aims to cease purchases of M109A7 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) howitzers in fiscal 2027, requesting only $84 million for the line, a sharp decrease following $715 million received for 40 units in FY26. Service Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized the need for faster mobile artillery solutions, able to deploy in 40 seconds rather than 15 minutes, to address evolving battlefield demands.
The Army is considering alternatives to the Paladin, including self-propelled howitzers from international manufacturers, after challenges halted the development of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) prototype. A contract for a new platform is targeted for award by July.
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