Ukraine’s artillery production revolution A game-changer in the Russia-Ukraine war

As the Russia-Ukraine War evolves, Ukrainian artillery, once overshadowed by drones, is regaining prominence in the battlefield. Recently, drones have taken over as the primary tool for inflicting Russian combat losses, partly due to Ukraine’s significant howitzer losses.

In response, Ukraine has ramped up production of its domestically produced 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers, becoming a leader in howitzer manufacturing and gaining a strategic advantage, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Developed in 2016 and fielded in 2022, the 2S22 Bohdana, a 155mm self-propelled howitzer mounted on a wheeled truck chassis, boasts a range of over 40 km. Ukraine’s ability to manufacture these howitzers has grown remarkably, with a reported production rate of 40 units per month. This is on par with Russia’s production capacity and significantly ahead of other nations: France produces 8 Caesar cannons monthly, Germany’s Panzerhaubitze 2000 numbers only 5-6 annually, and the U.S. M109A7 Paladin production averaged 4 per month.

Ukraine’s progress stems from the optimization of its domestic manufacturing capabilities, though challenges remain, particularly the availability of truck chassis. Initially relying on the KrAZ-6322 6×6 chassis, Ukraine diversified its options by incorporating the Ukrainian Bogdan-6317 and Czech Tatra Phoenix 8×8 models. While production is now accelerating, chassis shortages continue to limit full-scale output.

The importance of artillery is clear, as drones now account for two-thirds of Russian combat losses, though this figure may be influenced by artillery shortages. Ukraine has lost 735 howitzers to date, averaging 20 per month, but its domestic production is now outpacing these losses. With the integration of artillery, drones, and infantry tactics, Ukraine has forged a potent military strategy. Artillery rounds are more cost-effective and heavier than FPV drones, and crucially, they are less susceptible to jamming.

Artillery’s key role is evident in supporting infantry, especially during assaults on enemy positions. Ukrainian artillery forces Russian troops out of fortified positions, enabling infantry advances. This tactic was successfully demonstrated in Chasiv Yar, where Ukrainian forces reclaimed territory from Russian hands.

In just three years, Ukraine has defied expectations, adapting through technological and tactical innovations. Its impressive artillery production, with 40 Bohdana howitzers per month, places it in direct competition with Russia and far ahead of Western powers. Ukraine’s growing artillery arsenal strengthens its resilience and ensures it remains a formidable opponent on the modern battlefield.

By Vugar Khalilov