Mentioned:Diehl DefenceLeonardo
Ukraine signed a memorandum of understanding with Diehl Defence covering procurement of 155mm Vulcano precision-guided artillery shells. An initial batch of several hundred shells could be delivered by end-2026 if contract terms finalize.
What's happening
- Ukraine's Ministry of Defense signed an MOU with German company Diehl Defence on October 4, 2026 for Vulcano precision-guided ammunition.
- The guided Vulcano GLR variant reaches approximately 70 km when fired from 52-caliber guns including the PzH 2000.
- An initial batch of several hundred shells could arrive by end-2026 pending contract finalization and quantity agreements.
- Germany previously procured 255 Vulcano shells for Ukraine in 2022, with the first batch arriving in March 2023.
Why it matters
- Guided Vulcano GLR achieves circular error probable of 5 meters with coordinate guidance and 3 meters with semi-active laser homing, sharply increasing strike precision over unguided munitions.
- The 70 km range extends Ukraine's long-range strike capability beyond current unguided artillery, filling a gap in precision munitions supply.
- Vulcano shells fit existing Ukrainian artillery platforms including PzH 2000 and U.S. M777 howitzers, avoiding platform retraining and logistics disruption.
- The MOU covers three separate systems: IRIS-T air defense, air defense missiles, and precision artillery ammunition, indicating a coordinated German procurement package.
Going deeper
- Vulcano is developed jointly by Italy's Leonardo and Germany's Diehl Defence, making this procurement a European industrial collaboration.
- The guided variant carries approximately 30% less explosive material than the unguided BER version due to guidance and seeker systems.
- Vulcano shells measure 950 mm long and weigh approximately 36 kg, with a sub-caliber design that increases range without a rocket motor.
- The semi-active laser homing seeker allows engagement of moving targets when a laser designator illuminates them, expanding target set beyond pre-planned coordinates.
Source: militarnyi.com · Oct 11, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
