Agile, accurate and robust, the Bohdana is not only an effective machine for the battlefield, but a shining example of Ukraine’s domestic arms production success.
May 1, 2024
On April 18, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced an increase in domestic arms production, including that Ukraine’s defense industry would put out 10 Bohdana self-propelled artillery systems that month alone. This figure is expected to increase going forward, alongside a rise in production of different types of ammunition.
The news makes it timely to look at the Bohdana system in more detail – its origins, characteristics and potential.
Development of the Bohdana 2S22
The development of the Bohdana self-propelled artillery system began in 2016, with the first prototype displayed on Aug. 24, 2018, during the Independence Day parade. In 2019, the system underwent complex state testing and design modifications.
Several challenges delayed its deployment. These included bureaucratic obstacles during testing; a lack of ammunition due to the system using a non-standard caliber for Ukraine; and most production capacity at its developer – the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant – being knocked out by missile attacks when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In 2022, the Bohdana system underwent a baptism by fire during the Battle of Zmiiny Island where it operated side by side with a French Caesar howitzer for several days.
Production capacity in 2023 was enough to deliver six such vehicles per month. This has now increased to 10, with the President’s recent announcement indicating that the Bohdana will become a more prominent feature of the battlefield.
Characteristics of the Bohdana 2S22
The Bohdana was Ukraine’s first indigenous weapon designed for Western, rather than Soviet, calibers. As a result, the Bohdana can use both NATO 155mm rounds and Ukrainian-made ammunition, the production of which is currently increasing. This unification simplifies logistics and eliminates the use of old Soviet 152-mm shells, which are almost completely depleted in both Ukraine and NATO countries.
The 155mm Bohdana gun has a 52-caliber barrel, which is about eight meters long. This length provides good projectile velocity and range.
Firing conventional high-explosive fragmentation shells, the Bohdana can operate at a range of up to 42 km. However, due to the possibility of using NATO munitions, including active-reactive shells, this figure can be increased to 60 km.
A distinctive feature of the Bohdana is the use of a wheeled chassis – a solution already successfully applied in the world’s leading armies. The system is also similar to the French Caesar in terms of its operation and characteristics. In both systems, loading is semi-automatic: the gunners put ammunition into the tray, and the automatic system delivers it to the breech.
The first modifications of the artillery system were fully manual, which limited the rate of fire to three rounds per minute. After the installation of a semi-automatic loader, this figure increased to six, the same as for Caesar. Ukraine plans to further upgrade the loading system to a fully automatic one, which will bring the Bohdana closer to the performance of the world’s best wheeled self-propelled gun, the Swedish Archer.
The Bohdana was built on the chassis of the Ukrainian KrAZ truck with a 6×6 wheel configuration. However, the manufacturer offers the option of choosing an alternative chassis: Tatra or MAN. The possibility of mounting the gun on different types of chassis is key to maintaining the pace of its production.
The Bohdana’s wheeled chassis has a number of advantages over the classic tracked chassis used in most Ukrainian self-propelled guns. The wheels allow the system to quickly move to the desired area, fire and change position, minimizing the risk of damage to the installation and personnel.
The fire control system, adapted to dynamic combat operations, allows firing almost immediately after deployment. Loading, aiming and firing can be controlled from the cabin or from a second control station located at the rear of the vehicle.
This concept of combat use will become even more relevant with the transition to fully automatic loading. This will allow the Bohdana to significantly increase the number of shots fired during a given time. The mobility of the wheeled chassis is also a key advantage in modern warfare, where FPV drones are widely used. A maximum speed of 90 km per hour allows for fast and safe movement between positions, minimizing risks to the crew.
Despite its wheeled chassis, the Bohdana does have strong crew protection. The armored hull and glass can withstand a 7.62 mm small arms attack from 30 meters away. The armor also protects the base of the vehicle from mines, grenades and debris, withstanding a mine detonation of up to 6 kg TNT equivalent.
The wheels of the aerial vehicle are made using RunFlat technology, which allows it to continue driving even with punctured tires, albeit at a slightly slower speed. In the event of non-critical tire damage, an automatic inflation system can be used to maintain the required tire pressure.
Reactions
Ukrainian artillerymen have praised the new Bohdana self-propelled artillery system. According to their feedback, it has a high level of automation, excellent cross-country ability and impressive accuracy. As a result, it often takes only two rounds to destroy a target: the first is a test round, and the second hits the target.
Another advantage of the Bohdana is its significantly lower price, which makes it particularly compelling given Ukraine’s limited defense budget. It is almost twice as cheap as the French Caesar system – $2.5 million versus about $5 million.
The war in Ukraine has exposed the critical need for Ukraine to develop its own strong defense industry. The country’s dependence on foreign weapons and ammunition makes it vulnerable to external pressure and supply disruptions. This approach will help to diversify risks even if the supply of military aid from other countries declines.
Thanks to the Bohdana system, Ukraine is not only increasing its firepower on the battlefield, but also its independence from political factors that affect the extent of military support from partners.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/31938
Sounds like a very sound, well-thought-out system.
“Thanks to the Bohdana system, Ukraine is not only increasing its firepower on the battlefield, but also its independence from political factors that affect the extent of military support from partners.”
Unfortunately, these are important factors to consider if your friends have marshmallow spines.
Sure, Uiraine needs more independance from other countries, regarding weapons and ammunitions of essential importance. But I still don’t believe that self propelled howitzers should be high up on that list. There’s an abundance of suppliers, after all, every other European country produces its own variant and there’s overseas manufacturers, too. When funds are short (and they are!), that’s not a major field for government investments, imho. As I see it, that money would be much better spent on drones and especially missiles. That’s technology where Ukraine is ahead of most other Nato states, which is essential for success on the battlefield, and where supplies are limited and/or politically unreliable. Really, what the AFU most urgently needs now is not yet another substitute for 2S3 Gwosdivka and 2S5 Akaziya, but smart shells, lethal kamikaze drones and affordable missiles! 🤨
I would like to explain my point about smart shells further: Explosives are still a bottleneck, even though the situation has improved it has been reported. And Ukraine is still in the phase of starting its own production of shells. The shortage at the front is still dire. Under these conditions, it’s of very high importance to maximize the deadly impact of every single shell. Thus, smart shells! These are very expensive, when provided by the West, and supply is short, but Ukraine has the technological knowhow and the affordable manpower to build its own, less costly ones. So, I suggest this should be a major field of government investment. Make every howitzer shot count! ✊🤨🇺🇦
Indeed, that’s all very true. And, accuracy is where the Western artillery systems outshine the ruskies’ (and others’). It is said that to achieve the same as one Western artillery shot, the ruskies must fire around ten shots.
The problem is that it’s not good to have so many different systems. Making its own alleviates this problem. Another problem solved is begging and not getting, or getting, but too late, or getting too little. Make your own and these problems are solved.
Drones are great and very important. That’s why I call for donations all the time. But, drones cannot replace artillery. Period.
Besides all that, Ukraine has the capability to produce artillery – amongst other things. It has the facilities, equipment, know-how and the trained people for it. So, why should it let this go to waste?
With lots of honest sympathies for your views, Mr. Ofp (you can believe that), but innny view, every additional manufacturer increases the logistical problems, and I’m sad to say that the Ukrainian corporation has failed way too many deadlines. It really doesn’t look as if they use state funds efficiently. News reporfs even raise doubts if they at least are able to produce the barrels themselves. And on the other hand, there really is no shortage of such artillery systems in the West. So, excuse me please, but your response couldn’t really convince me. ☹
You are both right and wrong at the same time. Ukraine will be dependant on out sources for weapons for some time to come. Replacing all of the Soviet era weapons they will take time. A great deal of it. so buying weapons on the international market will be requirement for the immediate future.
That is just a fact.
However when you face an enemy as powerful and ruthless as Russia you can not rely totally on shaky allies who have their own agendas to support you.
That too is just a fact.
So Ukraine will need to look at what areas they are strong in and what designs they already have and focus their efforts in those directions. Missiles and drones are one.
However artillery is THE king of battle. it causes more damage than any other weapon. Being solely dependant on outside sources that can change their minds on a whim is pure folly.
Israel is living proof that. They produce what they can efficiently. What they can not produce they buy and improve the design to suit their needs. The F-15s and recently the F-35s is a prime example.
Once they developed the ability to improve their purchased weapons it did not take long to produce their own. they have built their whole MIC around this strategy. Iron Dome and David’s sling are examples.
Ukraine will need to do much the same. Israeli’s enemies are nowhere near as powerful as Ukraine’s. The imperative to be as independent as is practical is paramount.
Thier fist priority needs to be in artillery production of Guns and ammo. this is the most “Bang for the Buck” weapon they have.
Next they need to develop their aerospace and rocketry. Stunga-P ATGMs, Typhoon rocket artillery, Neptune Anti ship and Thunder ballistic missiles.
Ukraine has already developed an elaborate cottage drone program.
Next a domestic tanks and APCs. They are in talks with Rheinmetall And SAAB to produce Leopards and CV-90s. The leopard is a good all-round tank and they have received the largest number of when the development is finished they can up grad the Leos to the Panther with the 130mm thurrent. The CV-90 is a very modern and flexible design.
Untill they have their own production they will still need to purchase or have donated are Air Defense systems , APCs (mainly the Bradley because of availability performance). Self Propelled guns such as the M-109 (again availability) and fighters.
You put a lot of thought into this, Marco, but didn’t really convince me. My impression from the news is that missiles and shells are in much shorter suplly than artilkery systems (even though the AFU sure could use more of these, too). So, I’m convinced that this is how priorities should be set. Btw, in this context, I would also like to point out that Ukraine should invest in the development of a hard kill active protection system afainst drones and missiles, like “Iron Fist” for M1 Abrams. This would make a big difference in the survivability of tanks and APCs. Sadly, Nato is unlikely to provide such state of the art technology, so a domestic project is necessary. Imho this is more important than creating yet another type of mobile artillery, too. 🤔
That’s okay, Mr. Gray. It doesn’t matter if you’re convinced or not.
Facts are facts and Ukraine is doing the right thing.