As of October this year, around 40% of all artillery systems, both self-propelled and towed, employed by Ukraine's Defense Forces at the front are domestically produced Bohdana systems. This was reported by Colonel Andrii Zhuravlov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Missile Forces and Artillery Command of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Zhuravlov emphasized that Ukrainian-made Bohdana howitzers currently rank among the best in terms of reliability and durability compared to other artillery systems. "Their technical availability at the front consistently reaches around 80%. In other words, they demonstrate the highest survivability," he noted.
Read more: Ukrainian Artillerymen Reveal Bohdana-B Howitzer Characteristics and Compare with American M777
At the same time, the manufacturer, Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Building Plant, continues to improve the Bohdana artillery systems. Both an automated fire-control and aiming system and an autoloader are currently undergoing testing. It is worth recalling that as early as autumn 2023, Bohdana howitzers had already been observed with at least a ramming mechanism designed to increase the rate of fire.
Among other points, Zhuravlov noted that in the medium term it cannot be ruled out that Bohdana howitzers, albeit in different modifications, could become the sole artillery system in service with Ukraine's armed forces.
There are several reasons for this, including domestic production, the ability to use a wide range of ammunition, and a substantial barrel life that can reach up to 8,000 rounds.
As for the total number of Bohdana self-propelled howitzers that may be available to Ukraine's forces, available data suggest that as of early September, Ukraine had produced a total of 345 units of the 155 mm Bohdana self-propelled howitzers. In October, it was announced that production rates had reached up to 40 units per month. Based on this, it can be cautiously estimated that more than 480 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers have been produced to date.
Regarding the towed version, as of July it was reported that five batches had been delivered, although the exact number of howitzers supplied was not disclosed.
Previously, Defense Express reported that the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer will receive a new German chassis as part of the largest Ukrainian artillery order to date, valued at €750 million.
Read more: Ukraine's Defense Industry Produces Hundreds of 155mm Bohdana, Bohdana-BG Howitzers and Keeps Producing
