NEWTOWN, Conn. - Rheinmetall Defence continues to produce the Rh 120/44 ordnance, as well as 55-caliber barrels for retrofitting existing Rh 120/44 cannon to the Rh 120/55 configuration.
In the Republic of Korea, licensed production of the M256 version of the Rh 120/44 continues for the K1A1 main battle tank. With this licensed production, the ROK Army no longer procures the M256 from Watervliet Arsenal.
It still remains to be seen whether the U.K. Ministry of Defence will ever find the funds to pursue Rh 120/55 integration with the Challenger 2 main battle tank. Nevertheless, the British Army maintains a stated intention of extending the service life of the remaining 227 active Challenger 2 tanks through 2035. At present, the MoD is not funding the effort.
Rheinmetall Defence maintains Rh 120 production to support three primary requirements: near-term production of complete ordnance directly related to tank production, with a lead time of less than one year; production of an additional 5 to 10 percent inventory of barrels and components for spares requirements; and production of 55-caliber barrels for the retrofit of existing 44-caliber cannon to the Rh 120/55 configuration.
In addition, the prime contractor still anticipates a potential serial production run of Rh 120/55 cannon for British Army Challenger 2 re-armament. If the British Army ever does indeed follow through with Rh 120/55 integration, a whole new market of Challenger 2 users will open up to the Rh 120.
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