Polish Krab howitzers proving vital in Ukraine's defense war
On social media, a new recording was published confirming that Ukrainians are still using Krab howitzers. This weapon comes from Poland, and we discuss its most important features.
The short video was posted on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's official profile on platform X (formerly Twitter). Through this medium, Krabs still serve the defending army to repel invaders. Additionally, it reminded viewers of one of the key features of this weapon—the 155 mm caliber gun.
ASH Krab in Ukraine
The equipment produced by Huta Stalowa Wola is similar to other artillery used in NATO countries. The 155 mm caliber shells are the standard in modern artillery used in Alliance countries.
The Krab, similar to the German PzH 2000, has a barrel length of 52 calibers. The minimum range is estimated at 3 miles. The maximum distance that shells fired from the Polish howitzer can reach is approximately 25 miles. The design has been adapted to fire both standard shells and shells with a gas generator (the latter having a greater range). Both contain 20 pounds of TNT.
Polish weapon praised by Ukrainians
Ukrainian soldiers and politicians have repeatedly praised Polish howitzers. In 2023, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Zwarycz, stated that Krabs are weapons that have managed to change the situation on the front. Artillerymen using Krabs have often stressed their very good accuracy and high durability.
The clearest evidence of Polish howitzers' high utility is their repeated use on the front line, including near Bakhmut and Avdiivka.
In Ukraine, Krabs also perform very well in terms of mobility. Let us remind you that Polish howitzers use a caterpillar chassis, which allows them to overcome difficult obstacles even in muddy terrain. They also have a 1,000 hp engine.
The manufacturer declares that Krabs can accelerate to 37 mph on paved roads, but Ukrainian soldiers claim they can reach even higher speeds - up to 43 mph. The range of this 53-ton equipment on a single fuel tank is approximately 249 miles.
