Ukraine surges ahead in artillery production, outpacing NATO
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced that Ukraine produced 154 2S22 Bogdana howitzers per month in 2024, a number exceeding the combined production of all NATO countries. This article delves into the behind-the-scenes details of its production and performance, closely resembling the Polish Krab's fate.
During a press conference with President Zelensky, the stated production figure of 154 howitzers was highlighted as surpassing the combined efforts of NATO countries.
The Ukrainians may be slightly exaggerating here, as the French Nexter Group reportedly aimed to produce up to 12 CAESAR howitzers per month in 2024, according to information from early last year. This is just France, and should also include Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Sweden, and the USA.
Artillery production is a complex process
It's worth noting that Ukrainian industry has shifted to wartime production compared to Western industry, which has also expanded its capabilities. A key component in the production of the 2S22 Bogdana howitzer is the 155 mm calibre barrels, which are 52 calibres long. Western barrel manufacturers, aside from fulfilling domestic demands, are also supplying new barrels for artillery systems transferred to Ukraine.
The Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Building Works likely faces limitations in production due to the war, as large machines for barrel production cannot be easily relocated or concealed. It's possible that Ukraine sources most of its current barrels from European subcontractors. There are few of these, and one example is the Slovakian factories within the ZTS Special group, with whom Ukraine has cooperated for several years.
2S22 Bogdana — an affordable yet effective howitzer
The Ukrainian howitzer 2S22 Bogdana, whose development mirrors that of the Polish Krab, is the first Ukrainian artillery piece to follow NATO-standard 155 mm calibre. Initially, Ukrainians aimed to design it independently but eventually engaged foreign partners.
The Czech company Tatra was involved, providing its Phoenix 8x8 chassis, which is well-known in the Ukrainian industry. Conceptually, the 2S22 Bogdana is quite similar to the French CAESAR, as it is a 155 mm calibre gun with a 52-calibre length mounted on a truck chassis. However, compared to earlier versions, it has been armoured to protect against artillery fragments and partially against FPV drone attacks.
The Ukrainian howitzer features a semi-automatic loading system, allowing a firing rate of up to 6 rounds per minute, only requiring the projectile to be taken from the magazine and inserted into the nearby feeder. This system is simple and relatively reliable, although some crew members must operate outside.
The range of the Bogdana depends on the ammunition type: for basic DM121 shells, the effective maximum range is 30 km (19 miles), while using M549A1 rocket-assisted shells extends it to 60 km (37 miles). Optionally, the 2S22 Bogdana can fire-guided M982 Excalibur projectiles with a range of over 50 km (31 miles), although modern GPS jammers have reduced their usefulness.
The Ukrainian howitzer also supports firing in MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact) mode, where shells reach the target simultaneously, maximising their destructive power. This gives the system a significant advantage over Russian armament in 122 mm and 152 mm calibres in terms of range, precision, and firepower.
