MSPO 2022: Poland orders 48 additional Krab 155mm self-propelled howitzers for its armed forces.

At MSPO 2022, the Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak signed the approval of a long-term contract between the Polish Armaments Agency and Huta Stalowa Wola SA for the delivery of two more Regina fire modules including 48 Krab 155mm self-propelled howitzers.

Polish-made KRAB 155mm self-propelled howitzer at the edition 2022 of MSPO defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland. (Picture source Army Recognition)

A state military contract for over €800 million was signed at Targi Kielce during the MSPO defense exhibition. The Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak signed the approval of a long-term contract between the Armaments Agency and Huta Stalowa Wola SA for the delivery of two more Regina fire modules including 48 Krab 155mm self-propelled howitzers. The signing took place during the visit of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, on the eve of the 30th edition of the International Defence Industry Exhibition.

The Krab self-propelled howitzers have already proved their worth in the war. They are an essential and effective weapon in defense of Ukraine when used by the Ukrainians. Our task is to make the Polish army ever stronger, and Poland ever more resilient - said the Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak. He added that the new orders show an increase in the production potential of the Polish Armaments Group and the Polish defense industry in general.

Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that strengthening the country's defense capabilities is particularly important in the current political situation in Central and Eastern Europe. He added that he was impressed by the scale of this year's MSPO.

"I am glad that this agreement is concluded on the eve of the jubilee, 30th International Defence Industry Exhibition. This is a really great event. I hope that many trade agreements will be signed, also with Polish defense companies", said Andrzej Duda

According to the agreement, Polish company Stalowa Wola Steel Works is to provide the Polish army with two Regina fire modules with 48 Krab self-propelled howitzers and 36 accompanying vehicles, including command, command-staff and ammunition vehicles, as well as a logistics and training package. The contract will be implemented in the 2025-2027 period.

The first contract for Krab howitzers was concluded in 2016 - 4 fire modules, including 96 Krab howitzers and 100 accompanying vehicles. This contract is still being implemented.

The KRAB is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured in Poland by the Defense Company HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola) in cooperation with BAE Systems and OBRUM.

The KRAB 155mm self-propelled howitzer is based on a tracked armored chassis fitted with the turret of the British AS90 (Braveheart) 155 mm self-propelled gun. The main armament of the KRAB consists of one 155mm 52 caliber designed and manufactured by BAE Systems. The gun can fire all standard 155mm NATO projectiles with a range from 4.7 to 40 km. An automated loading system enables the gun to fire with a burst rate of three rounds in fewer than ten seconds, an intense rate of six rounds a minute for three minutes, and a sustained rate of two rounds a minute.