After a pause since early 2022, deliveries of Krab 155 mm self-propelled howitzers to the Polish Army have resumed. This became possible after fulfilling an order for these systems for Ukraine.
According to Defense24, the new battery has already been delivered to the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment. It includes eight howitzers, a command and staff vehicle, three command vehicles, as well as two transport and loading vehicles.
Read more: Polish Defense Industry Seeks Deeper Cooperation With Ukraine on NATO's Eastern Flank
This batch is part of the 2016 contract, whose last deliveries were completed at the end of 2021. The rest was scheduled for 2022-2024, but was postponed to 2025-2027.
The delay was caused by prioritizing supplies to Ukraine, which received 54 vehicles from Poland's own stocks. As a result, the Polish Army currently has fewer Krabs than South Korean K9s, purchased in 2022.
From Defense Express we would like to add that there are no new orders of Polish self-propelled howitzers for the Ukrainian military. Although Ukraine produces wheeled and towed Bohdana howitzers, tracked systems remain important for their armor and superior cross-country mobility.
With new orders, Poland is expected to have 212 Krab systems by 2029. Some will reportedly be upgraded to Krab 2 variants, potentially including command and staff vehicles on a new chassis.
According to the manufacturer Huta Stalowa Wola S.A., 34 self-propelled howitzers are planned for delivery by the end of 2025, bringing the Polish Army's total to 60 units. Related equipment will also be transferred along with the howitzers.
After three years of fulfilling orders for Ukraine, Poland's defense industry is now returning to meet the artillery needs of its own army. Krab may also receive additional funding through the EU's SAFE loan program.
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