Direct proof of use
The AS-90 is directly documented in the 2003 Iraq War through Imperial War Museums film metadata for Basra International Airport on March 28, 2003. The IWM record identifies AS90 self-propelled guns of 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery firing at Basra International Airport, Iraq, during Operation Telic 1.
Additional contemporary reporting places an AS90 from J Battery, 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, engaging Iraqi positions outside Basra in support of the First Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. UK Parliament records also show that the land force package announced for Iraq included 32 AS90 self-propelled guns and that 3 Regt RHA and 26 Regt RA deployed AS90 Heavy units on Op Telic 1 in Iraq in 2003.
Sources: IWM Basra International Airport Tape 4, Guardian AS90 Outside Basra, Hansard Iraq Land Force Package, Hansard Army Deployment
Timeline
On January 20, 2003, the UK government told Parliament that the Iraq land-force package would include 32 AS90 self-propelled guns. Operation Telic began on March 20, 2003, and the Royal Signals Museum describes the British part of the invasion as a 46,000-person British force operating alongside U.S., Australian, and Polish contingents.
By March 25, press imagery showed a J Battery AS90 engaging Iraqi positions outside Basra. On March 28, IWM film metadata recorded AS90 self-propelled guns of 3 RHA firing at Basra International Airport. Later parliamentary deployment tables identify 3 Regt RHA and 26 Regt RA AS90 Heavy deployments on Op Telic 1 in Iraq in 2003, with further Iraq deployments in later Operation Telic rotations.
Sources: Hansard Iraq Land Force Package, Royal Signals Museum Op Telic, Guardian AS90 Outside Basra, IWM Basra International Airport Tape 4, Hansard Army Deployment
Narrative
In Iraq, the AS-90 served on the United States and coalition side as British tracked 155 mm artillery. The public record supports British Army use rather than transfer to Iraqi forces or use by Iraqi units. The clearest identified operator in the opening campaign is 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, with Hansard also listing 26 Regiment Royal Artillery as an AS90 Heavy unit on Op Telic 1.
The system's role was conventional indirect fire support for armored and infantry operations around Basra. Major General Robin Brims, giving evidence to the House of Commons Defence Committee in June 2003, singled out artillery, particularly AS90, as one of the campaign's major battlefield advantages and described the guns firing at maximum range with notable accuracy.
The cited sources support deployment, firing, unit context, and broad artillery role. They do not provide a complete public fire-mission log, a verified total of rounds fired by AS-90 units, or a detailed target list beyond the documented Basra-area firing and reported engagement of Iraqi positions outside Basra.
Sources: Hansard Army Deployment, IWM Basra International Airport Tape 4, Guardian AS90 Outside Basra, House of Commons Defence Evidence, British Army AS90
