Ukraine increases production of Bohdana 4.0 8x8 self-propelled howitzers.

According to the New York Times, Ukraine has accelerated the production of its Bohdana 4.0 8x8 self-propelled howitzers to eight units per month, a notable improvement from the six units previously announced last December by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a military selection meeting. While Ukrainian officials have not disclosed the total number of units produced, this increase in production suggests a potential surge in the country's domestic arms production.
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The 4.0 version, akin to its predecessor, features an armored cabin fully developed and produced in Ukraine by Ukrainian Armor, also recognized as Ukrarmor (Picture source:  AFU Land Forces Commander)

In tandem, it has been reported that Ukrainian defense companies have tripled the production of armoured vehicles and quadrupled the production of anti-tank missiles, marking a significant step in strengthening the country's defense capability.

The Bohdana self-propelled howitzer represents a significant advancement for the Ukrainian arms industry. In development since at least 2018, the "Bohdana" is the first Ukrainian self-propelled gun designed for the standard 155 mm NATO caliber. This choice aligns Ukraine with the artillery standards of NATO member countries, as opposed to the 152 mm caliber used during the Soviet era. In June 2022, Ukrainian forces utilized Bohdana's 30-mile range to target and destroy Russian air defenses in the successful battle for Snake Island in the Black Sea.

The "Bohdana" is mounted on a KrAZ chassis and features an armored cabin that can accommodate a crew of five. It is equipped with an automated guidance system using Siemens controllers and an automatic loading system capable of holding six artillery shells. The loading, aiming, and firing functions can be operated from inside or outside the cockpit.

This artillery system was first used in combat in 2022 during the battle for Snake Island, then occupied by the Russians, and has since been officially adopted by the Ukrainian armed forces. It played a crucial role in liberating Snake Island from the Russian garrison, according to Valery Zaluzhny, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian armed forces.

The 4.0 version, akin to its predecessor, features an armored cabin fully developed and produced in Ukraine by Ukrainian Armor, also recognized as Ukrarmor. A video released by Ukrainian Front on February 15, 2024, showcased the cabin's durability in withstanding explosions, including those from Russian ZALA Lancet kamikaze drones, effectively safeguarding the lives of the Ukrainian crew members within. The latest iteration of the 2S22 Bohdana has been integrated into a Czech Tatra 158 Phoenix 8x8 chassis and is equipped with a semi-automatic loader. As of now, the Ukrainian military operates four different versions of the Bohdana 155mm self-propelled howitzer, labeled as 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0.

Open sources indicate that only seven of these models, including prototypes, are currently in service with the Ukrainian troops. This development is part of a broader effort to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities with the support of domestic artillery systems, thereby complementing Western tanks on the front line.

Furthermore, Ukraine has initiated collaboration with the Slovak defense company Konštrukta Defense to develop a new self-propelled gun based on the Slovak self-propelled gun Zuzana, thus bolstering efforts to strengthen its arsenal with modern and interoperable armaments.

The increase in production comes at a critical time as Russia has quadrupled its weapon production. Ukraine needs to rebuild its defense industry to defend itself in the coming years and reduce dependence on foreign countries, support that remains crucial for the production of certain weapons. Additionally, Ukrainian forces are losing territory in key areas, including the strategic eastern town of Avdiivka. A U.S. aid package is still pending in Congress. While European defense companies are cautiously starting operations in Ukraine, major American weapons producers have yet to commit to establishing factories amid the ongoing conflict.