Up to the present time, there is no official information about the number of Bogdana 155 mm self-propelled howitzers
in service with the Ukrainian armed forces.
According to sources, in January 2022, the Bogdana howitzer conducted its first tests
And according to Armyrecognition, citing information from Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii
the first domestically produced 2S22 Bohdana 155mm self-propelled artillery units will join the Ukrainian ground forces in the next few months
From the latest images of Bogdana released by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on December 26
it can be confirmed that the 155 mm howitzer is now fully operational in the Ukrainian army
Ukraine's self-propelled artillery system has been developed since 2018, placed on a 6x6 configuration wheeled chassis
This weapon has the advantage of maneuverability, reliable operation and easy airlift to the location of the conflict
Basically, Ukraine's Bohdana is comparable to CAESAR self-propelled howitzer manufactured by the Nexter Group of France
It is considered to be one of the most powerful self-propelled howitzers in the world, and is expected to have great potential in the export market.
Bohdana uses the KrAZ-6322 truck chassis powered by diesel, which is a successful 6x6 off-road truck that has been in development since 1994
The cabin is armored, providing safety protection for the crew before light infantry weapons
the front has 2 large windshields and 2 small windows on each side for easy viewing
The 155mm howitzer system is located at the rear, it sports a long gun tube with a heavy-duty, multi-baffled brake at its business end
Ukraine now produces 95% of Bohdana components, they only import auxiliary components such as control panels
The entire Bohdana self-propelled gun complex has a combat weight of 28 tons
To operate, a 420 horsepower engine has been equipped, allowing artillery vehicles to run at a maximum speed of 80km/h,with a range up to 1,200km
The main display was arranged in the armored cabin, and there was also another screen on the rear
for the crew to use when the howitzer was in a ready to fight position
An average rate of fire of six shells per minute, depending on the different types of shells according to NATO standards
The howitzer has a minimum range of 780m, and a maximum range of 40km with High-explosive
or armor-piercing ammunition or 50 km with a rocket-assisted projectile.
To operate this weapon system, a crew of up to 5 people is required, including the driver and commander
A thick steel base will be lowered to the ground for stability whilst firing.
The weapon's outstanding characteristics lie in its maneuverability, accuracy, long range and high rate of fire
Despite this, military experts believe that the Ukrainian self-propelled howitzer also has weaknesses, without any serious protection for it
Usually self-propelled guns on the motor vehicle chassis are designed with armored turrets
shielding from shrapnel. Ukraine's self-propelled howitzer is only an open platform
the long gun itself has a prominent height, so it must be arranged in a discreet location or by taking advantage of the terrain