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​2S22 Bohdana: How 18 Howitzers for Ukrainian Forces Aroused the EU's Interest in Ukrainian Arms

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The 2S22 Bohdana howitzer / Photo credit: the 45th Separate Artillery Brigade
The 2S22 Bohdana howitzer / Photo credit: the 45th Separate Artillery Brigade

The production of the 2S22 Bohdana howitzer has obviously exceeded the production rate of the French Caesar, but there is another factor besides the rate

Denmark ordered 18 2C22 Bohdana wheeled self-propelled howitzers in July, and in the first half of September they were delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This was announced by the head of the Minister of Defense of Denmark, Troels Lund Poulsen, at the Yalta European Strategy (YES).

It should noted that the actual rate of production of these 18 Ukrainian self-propelled howitzers was less than 9 months. The time for adopting of the completed artillery systems in the army, as well as the production of other vehicles, for which orders are constantly being placed, should also be taken into account.

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The 2S22 Bohdana, manufactured by the Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tool Building Plant (part of NAUDI), is in the process of constantly scaling up serial production. Back in April of this year, these howitzers were produced at 10 units per month with further acceleration. In April, the production rate was reported at 8 units, and in December 2023 - 6 units per month. At the same time, Bohdana is in the process of continuous modernization, including the loading mechanism.

2S22 Bohdana: How 18 Howitzers for Ukrainian Forces Aroused the EU's Interest in Ukrainian Arms, Defense Express
The 2S22 Bohdana howitzer / Photo credit: the 45th Separate Artillery Brigade

These figures can be compared with the capabilities of the French Nexter company (part of KNDS), which produces Caesar howitzers. In April of this year, the Minister of the Armed Forces of France Sébastien Lecornu said that their production had reached 6 units per month and should increase to 12 per month, but without specifying a time frame. So, given the Ukrainian pace, production of Bogdana may have already exceeded Nexter's plans.

At the same time, Troels Lund Poulsen called on European partners to order Ukrainian weapons. First and foremost, of course, we are talking about the price, because Ukrainian models are cheaper than Western ones. But he cited another very important reason: Ukrainian weapons are easier to maintain in a combat-ready state.

Earlier Defense Express reported that Canadian Roshel had supplied armored vehicles to Ukraine.

Read more: ​Ukraine Introduces Domestically Produced Ammunition to Strengthen Its Armed Forces