Ukraine unveils new towed howitzer "Bogdana-B" to boost defense

Ukrainian engineers have incorporated the artillery component of the self-propelled 2S22 "Bogdana" howitzer onto a chassis likely sourced from the towed artillery "Hyacinth-B." According to Defence Express, the decision to develop a towed version of this artillery system stems from Ukraine's current defense industry capabilities, which favor barrel production over chassis for self-propelled "Bogdana" howitzers. Given Ukraine's increasing need for artillery, the idea of creating a towed variant, "Bogdana-B," was conceived.

The Ukrainian service notes that although the production rate of self-propelled 2S22 howitzers has reached about 20 units per month, a gap remains between barrel and chassis production. Therefore, there is an ongoing effort to work on the towed version of this artillery system. This solution has performed well in combat and is sometimes called a Ukrainian "artillery showcase" or "Ukrainian Crab."

Currently, detailed technical information on the "Bogdana-B" howitzer, such as combat weight, rate of fire, or the number of crew members required for its operation, is unavailable. However, a notable trend is that work on the 155 mm caliber Ukrainian towed artillery is ongoing and has reached the stage of its first public presentation.

The 2S22 Bogdana howitzers often considered the showcase of the Ukrainian defense industry, play a key role in the ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Developed in 2016, these modern designs have entered serial production, increasing the number of units available on the front. One of the most significant features of the Bogdana is its NATO-standard 155 mm caliber, which ensures compatibility with ammunition used by NATO countries.

The 2S22 Bogdana howitzer boasts a considerable firing range—about 22 miles with standard shells and up to 37 miles with rocket-assisted shells. Additionally, it is equipped with a semi-automatic loading system, significantly increasing the rate of fire to six rounds per minute. The howitzer is mounted on the chassis of the well-known Czech Tatra Phoenix 8x8 truck, providing excellent off-road capabilities. The vehicle's cabin is armored, with additional slat armor protecting against modern threats such as FPV drones and anti-tank bomblets.

Unfortunately, despite its numerous advantages, the Ukrainian 2S22 Bogdana howitzer has become a target for Russian kamikaze drones, which have recently succeeded in destroying several units. The Lancet system, used by the Russians to attack the Bogdana, has proven highly effective. Despite these setbacks, Ukrainians remain committed to continuing production of the 2S22 Bogdana, adapting the designs to meet current combat conditions. With regular improvements based on front-line experiences, these howitzers have the potential to become a crucial component of Ukrainian artillery in the fight against aggressors.