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Ukraine Produced More Than 150 2S22 Bohdana Self-Propelled Howitzers in 2024.
Ukraine's defense industry reached a significant milestone in 2024, producing over 150 artillery systems, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky. This production includes various artillery systems, surpassing the combined output of all NATO countries over the past year, marking a notable achievement for Ukraine's military manufacturing capabilities.
The 2S22 Bohdana is a self-propelled howitzer developed by Ukraine, designed to offer great mobility and considerable firepower on the field. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)
During a press conference, President Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine's defense sector had produced a total of 154 artillery systems in 2024, with forecasts for further increased production in the upcoming year. While Zelensky did not specify the exact types of weaponry included in this figure, experts suggest that a significant portion of the total could come from the 2S22 Bohdana, a locally developed 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. Previous reports had indicated that the production of these systems had reached a rate of 20 units per month as of October 2023.
Although independent verification of the reported figures remains difficult, these developments signal Ukraine's growing artillery production capacity. In addition to the 2S22 Bohdana, Ukraine has also developed a towed version of the howitzer, further expanding its artillery capabilities.
Ukraine's defense sector has not limited its production efforts to artillery systems alone. President Zelensky also revealed that the country had produced around 2.2 million FPV (First-Person View) drones, as well as approximately 100,000 long-range drones, further enhancing the country's technological and operational capabilities in the field of unmanned aerial systems.
The 2S22 Bohdana is a self-propelled howitzer developed by Ukraine, designed to offer great mobility and considerable firepower on the field. This artillery system, mounted on a MAZ chassis, entered service in 2022 and is currently used by the Ukrainian Ground Forces, especially in the ongoing conflict with Russia. It was developed between 2015 and 2018 by the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant, with production starting in 2018 and continuing today. To date, more than 30 units of this howitzer have been built, with a unit cost of around 3 million euros.
Weighing around 28 tons, the 2S22 Bohdana can reach a top speed of 80 km/h on the road, allowing it to move swiftly across the terrain. It has an operational range of 800 km on roads and 300 km off-road, enabling it to be deployed in a variety of conditions. Its main armament is a 155mm howitzer, which allows it to engage targets at distances ranging from 42 to 60 kilometers. It can fire up to five rounds per minute, ensuring a sustained rate of fire during artillery support operations.
The 2S22 Bohdana is designed to be operated by a crew of five, providing a balance between efficiency and operational capability. Its design allows it to be a valuable asset for the Ukrainian army, providing a mobile artillery capability that can meet the demands of modern warfare. This self-propelled vehicle illustrates the progress made by Ukraine's defense industry, which has developed a modern and effective artillery system despite the challenges it faces.
In terms of international cooperation, Denmark has played a key role in supporting Ukraine's defense industry. The Danish government financed the acquisition of 18 2S22 Bohdana howitzers, which have already been delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces as part of a pilot project. Following the success of this initiative, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed plans to strengthen defense procurement ties between the two countries, with an agreement valued at approximately 4.2 billion DKK (£480 million).
The development of the 2S22 Bohdana howitzer is the result of a collaborative effort between several Ukrainian defense entities, including the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries, the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant, and Ukrainian Armor. This collaboration highlights the growing capacity of Ukraine's defense industry to meet the needs of modern warfare, positioning the country as an increasingly important player in the global defense landscape.