The Ukrainian 155 mm 2P22 Bohdana-BG towed howitzer has entered service with the 50th Separate Artillery Brigade. A notable feature of this howitzer is the addition of specialized anti-drone protection in the form of so-called "barbecue grills."
The presence of this protection was noted by a Ukrainian community NIP Tysk in photographs from the brigade's training exercises. It is currently unclear whether they were factory-installed or, as with most similar solutions, added later by the units themselves or by repair teams.
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The howitzer's design provides protection for its artillery section from the front, top, and sides. This is likely an attempt to shield the most valuable part of the towed system from drones, which are currently one of the main means of attack on the battlefield.
The barrel remains exposed and vulnerable, but can be replaced if damaged. Although the production rate has not been disclosed, it is likely to be quite high, judging by the output of 40 Bohdana units per month. It should be noted that howitzers are also equipped with anti-drone nets.
This protects the artillery unit, which is more complex and costly to manufacture. At the same time, the anti-drone grilles still leave an open area around the barrel muzzle, likely due to operational requirements or the difficulty of fully covering it.
In general, the design appears to be made of ready-made mesh elements. Its effectiveness is difficult to assess due to the variety of warheads on strike drones. However, this should increase the chances of the howitzer surviving in an environment of widespread drone use.
A bigger concern is the replacement of a damaged gun carriage, given that the aging Soviet-era Giatsint-B remains in service with limited spare parts available. A Ukrainian alternative was reportedly under development as of 2025, but there is no information on its readiness.
It should be noted that Bohdana can become the main 155 mm artillery system in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, the towed Marta features a 39-caliber barrel, improving mobility and compactness.
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