Ukraine unveils new towed artillery to boost defence efforts

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has released a video showcasing domestically produced military equipment and weaponry. These materials were aimed at foreign partners, and towed artillery was one of the featured solutions. According to Defence Express, this was supposed to be the latest model of the "Bogdana-B" howitzer, with the first reports appearing in December 2023.

Ukrainian engineers utilised the artillery component of the self-propelled 2S22 "Bogdana" howitzer and a chassis likely sourced from the towed artillery "Hyacinth-B". According to Defence Express, the decision to develop a towed version of this artillery system stems from the fact that the Ukrainian defence industry currently has greater capabilities in barrel production than in chassis for self-propelled "Bogdana" howitzers. As Ukraine increasingly needed more artillery, the idea of creating a towed variant, "Bogdana-B", emerged.

As the Ukrainian service points out, even though the production rate of self-propelled 2S22 howitzers has reached about 20 units per month, the disparity between barrel production and chassis production still exists. Therefore, the decision was made to continue working on the towed version of this artillery system, especially since this solution performs well in combat. It is sometimes called a Ukrainian "artillery showcase" or "Ukrainian Crab".

Detailed technical data on the "Bogdana-B" howitzer, such as combat weight, rate of fire, or the number of crew members required for its operation, are not publicly available. Nevertheless, a significant trend can be noted—the work on the 155 mm calibre Ukrainian towed artillery is ongoing and has already reached the stage of its first public presentation.

The 2S22 Bogdana howitzers, often called the showcase of the Ukrainian defence industry, play a key role in the current military actions in Ukraine. These modern designs developed back in 2016, have been introduced into serial production, allowing for an increase in the number of available units on the front. One of the most important features of the Bogdana is the NATO-standard 155 mm calibre, which ensures compatibility with ammunition used by NATO countries.

The 2S22 Bogdana howitzer is characterised by a sizable firing range—about 35 kilometres with standard shells and up to 60 kilometres with rocket-assisted shells. Additionally, the device is equipped with a semi-automatic loading system, significantly increasing the rate of fire to six rounds per minute. The howitzer is mounted on the chassis of the well-known Czech Tatra Phoenix 8x8 truck, providing excellent off-road capabilities. The vehicle's cabin is armoured, and additional slat armour offers protection against modern threats such as FPV drones and anti-tank bomblets.

Unfortunately, despite numerous advantages, the Ukrainian 2S22 Bogdana howitzer has become a target for Russian kamikaze drones, which have recently managed to destroy several units of this weapon. The Lancet system, which the Russians use to destroy the Bogdana, has proven highly effective. Despite the losses, Ukrainians still intend to continue the production of the 2S22 Bogdana, adapting the designs to current combat conditions. With regular improvements based on front-line experiences, these howitzers have the potential to become one of the key elements of Ukrainian artillery in the fight against the aggressor.