Ukraine has launched production of its own 155-mm Bohdana self-propelled howitzer

In early 2022, as Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) had only one prototype of the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer. However, this howitzer was still utilized in combat operations.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense funded the production of new Bohdana artillery systems in the spring of 2022, as reported by the Minister of Defense, Oleksiy Reznikov, on his Facebook page. The post included a photo of the minister in the cab of the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer.

The 2S22 Bogdana self-propelled howitzer is the first example of Ukrainian artillery in the standard NATO caliber of 155 mm. The artillery unit is built on the chassis of the Ukrainian army truck KrAZ-63221, with an armored cabin. Development of the Bogdana began in 2018 and it was tested in 2021 and early 2022. However, it was not officially adopted by the AFU by the time the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022.

There are currently no reliable technical specifications available in open sources. However, it is known that the barrel for the first Bohdana was manufactured at the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant. Unofficial data suggests that the maximum range of fire is between 40-50 km, depending on the type of projectile.

As of January 27, 2023, the city of Kramatorsk is under control of the Ukrainian army but is frequently targeted by missile attacks from the Russian army. It is uncertain if the plant in question is capable of producing military products. It is likely that the new examples of the Bohdana described by Mr. Reznikov were built with new components from Western suppliers or from pre-war stock.

Despite its experimental status, the Bohdana howitzer was utilized in real combat conditions, including during the operation to liberate Snake Island in the Black Sea, in conjunction with artillery supplied by Western partners.

Source: Oleksiy Reznikov