Rheinmetall has recently unveiled its updated military truck, the RMMV TGS-MIL Protected, which combines enhanced off-road mobility with a newly armored cabin. The vehicle is designed in 6x6 and 8x8 configurations and aims to meet the needs of both logistics and weapon platform integration — which has sparked interest in whether this chassis could become a new base for Ukraine's 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer.
2S22 Bohdana is Ukraine's domestically developed 155mm NATO-caliber artillery system, originally mounted on a 6x6 civilian KrAZ truck. It became widely known after striking russian positions on Snake Island in 2022, playing an important role. Since then, the Bohdana has become a symbol of Ukraine's own artillery capabilities. Recently, an international patent has been filed, including both standalone gun modules and export-ready configurations on different chassis.
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The newly presented TGS-MIL Protected brings several upgrades over its civilian predecessors. In addition to its armored cabin, the vehicle features improved ergonomics, infrared headlights, and support for advanced driver assistance systems. It also includes a "kill switch" that disables all digital systems at once — a useful capability for electronic warfare environments.
However, the core question remains: could this truck be a realistic future platform for Bohdana? While the patented version of the howitzer's cabin does not resemble the one on the TGS-MIL, Rheinmetall's connection to MAN (whose trucks have already been considered as potential platforms for Ukrainian systems) adds credibility to the idea. Moreover, Bohdana's modular design allows the gun system to be installed on various chassis, with 8x8 configurations being most likely for handling the system's weight and recoil.
Another possibility is that the TGS-MIL Protected could serve as a carrier vehicle for the Bohdana-B — the towed variant actively used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In this role, the armored cab would offer much-needed protection against drone shrapnel and artillery fragments during battlefield deployment.
For Ukraine, acquiring these trucks in large numbers would likely depend on foreign military aid packages. While earlier generations of TGS trucks are already in use by Ukrainian forces, the cost of the new protected version may be too high for Kyiv's budget — similar to the case with Czech Tatra vehicles.
Still, with Rheinmetall actively cooperating with Ukraine on multiple projects, from munitions to vehicle upgrades, the TGS-MIL Protected could become a relevant player in the modernization of Ukrainian artillery mobility — both for domestic use and export markets.
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