RO2001 Self-Propelled Howitzer - Britain’s Forgotten 122mm Contender

Sebbo_the_Plebbo · February 27, 2026, 8:32pm

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RO2001

Introduction

The RO2001 Self-Propelled Howitzer emerged from the United Kingdom’s 1980s RO2000 light vehicle program, itself part of a broader evaluation into a Future Family of Light Armoured Vehicles (FFLAV). Although FFLAV was accelerated after the Gulf War to address shortcomings in aging platforms such as the FV430 and CVR(T) families, the RO2001’s conceptual roots lay in Royal Ordnance’s earlier SP122 design for a self-propelled howitzer intended for the Egyptian Army. It is believed that this SP122 project evolved into the RO2001, taking the opportunity provided by the RO2000 universal modular chassis. Two birds with one stone - demonstrate the flexibility of the RO2000 modular platform, and market a vehicle to a potential foreign customer.

The RO2000 base and RO2001 specifically were designed for simplicity and ease of manufacture, particularly important given that the main potential customer was Egypt, where industrial capacity was less developed, while also forming part of a proposed wider vehicle family intended to consolidate multiple British Army roles onto a common chassis.

As built, the RO2001 was armed with the 122 mm D30 howitzer, a ubiquitous Soviet design capable of firing various HE and HEAT projectiles, and fitted with a computerized gunsight for direct and indirect fire. The RO2001 mounted the D30 in a fixed rear superstructure, with 30 degrees of traverse from the centreline, +70 degrees elevation, and –5 degrees depression. It carried 84 rounds and was supported by a .50cal machine gun and L8 smoke launchers. Powered by a 320hp Perkins TV8-640 turbocharged diesel engine and a 6-speed epicyclic automatic gearbox, the 20-ton vehicle had a respectable top speed of 55kph, and a hp/t of 16.0. The RO2001 was designed primarily for export but could have been adapted for UK service, with proposals including mounting the L13A1 105 mm gun (as used on the FV433 Abbot) or the Royal Ordnance L118 light 105 mm gun.

In trials, the RO2001 prototype fired over 300 rounds and completed at least 10,000 km of testing under harsh conditions. In the summer of 1986, it was displayed at the British Army equipment exhibition arms fair alongside the RO2003 120 mm mortar variant. Only one RO2001 was constructed, and although it was demonstrated successfully, no further interest was found. The broader RO2000/FFLAV effort was overtaken by alternative British procurement programs, and the RO2001 remained a single prototype.

In-game, despite being a relatively modern vehicle, the RO2001s capabilities would place it at a relatively low BR. In essence, it is similar to vehicles like the M44, with a notably worse HE round but also having access to HEAT.

Specifications

Spoiler