Deliveries of Archer self-propelled artillery system to the Swedish Army have begun.

The first of the truck-mounted 155mm systems -- made by BAE Systems Bofors -- were officially turned over to the Army by the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration on the first of this month, the Swedish military said.

The systems will be operated by the Army's A 9 Artillery Regiment, the country's only artillery unit.

"This day is very important for the regiment, these pieces are a big part of our identity as a regiment and as gunners," said the regiment's commander, Col. Johan Pekkari.

Sweden is the sole operator of the Archer system. Norway had jointly ordered the system but later dropped out of the program.

Deliveries of the artillery system will continue throughout this year, giving Sweden a total of 24 systems.