Slovakia and Ukraine collaborate on new 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer.

According to a tweet by Daniel of Bohemia dated July 3, 2023, Slovakia and Ukraine have entered into a cooperative agreement to jointly develop a new wheeled self-propelled howitzer. This joint effort will combine features of the Slovak EVA and the Ukrainian Bohdana, both of which are 155mm self-propelled howitzers. The collaboration draws upon the expertise of Slovakia's Konštrukta Defence and Ukraine's Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tool Building Plant, with the involvement of ZVS Holding, who previously proposed the EVA to Ukraine in 2020.
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Slovak 155mm 52Cal. TMG EVA 6x6 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source Konštrukta Defence)

The primary objective of this collaborative project is to optimize the design of the new howitzer to meet the specific requirements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The project aims to deliver a functional prototype within a year, potentially utilizing a 6x6 Tatra 815-7 FORCE chassis, like the EVA.

Konštrukta Defence operates in various areas, including weapon systems, ammunition systems, fire control systems, and machinery upgrades for armies. The company has exported its products to regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Among their offerings are different vehicles, including the ZUZANA 2, EVA and DIANA artillery systems, BOV 8×8 VYDRA armored fighting vehicle, BPsVI – ISTAR combat reconnaissance vehicle, and rocket launcher RM-70 Modular.

ZVS Holding, a Slovak company, has diversified its operations beyond ammunition production and machine manufacturing to include transformers, electronics, pyrotechnics, and air guns. They recently invested €30 million in expanding the production of 155mm artillery ammunition to meet the needs of the Slovak Republic's Armed Forces and explore potential opportunities to supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The EVA (155mm 52Cal. TMG EVA) is a truck-mounted 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on the Zuzana 2. It offers effective fire in both direct and indirect aiming scenarios and is designed for enhanced mobility. Operated by a crew of three, it features an armored cabin with filtration and ventilation units by TDV (Tatra Defense Vehicle), who manufactures ballistic and mine blast protection cabins for Tatra chassis.

It can carry up to 24 pieces of NATO standard 155mm ammunition, has various firing modes, including Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI), and a rate of fire of 5 rounds in the first minute. Its firing range extends from 5 km to a maximum of 41 kilometers, with a traverse of ±60º and an elevation range from -3.5° to +75º. Powered by electric and hydraulic systems, the EVA comes in 6x6 and 8x8 variants. It has automation for position adjustment, loading, and data transfer. Equipped with navigation and aiming equipment, it operates in various conditions (-30 to 50°C) with a maximum speed of 80 km/h and can be transported by the HERCULES C130 aircraft.

The 2S22 Bohdana is a truck-mounted 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on the KrAZ-6322. It features an armored cabin at the front and a rear-mounted artillery gun system. It has a 155mm caliber cannon that can fire all standard NATO ammunition with a range of up to 42 km (HEIAP) or up to 50 km with rocket-assisted projectiles.

The 2S22 Bohdana is equipped with modern aiming and fire control systems, including a computerized fire control system, ballistic calculator, and navigation system. It is operated by a crew of five.

With a KrAZ truck chassis, the 2S22 Bohdana offers high mobility capabilities, reaching 80 km/h on roads with a range of up to 1,000 km. It can cross vertical steps of 0.7m, trenches of 1m, negotiate grades of 60%, side slopes of 30%, and ford a maximum depth of 1.2m.

It is important to note that the Ukrainian army has already deployed Konštrukta Defence's Zuzana 2 howitzers and has plans to introduce Czech Excalibur Army DANA M2 howitzers in the near future, which demonstrates their trust in the capabilities of their regional partners.

Ukrainian 2S22 Bohdana 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source Wikimedia)