Developed to NATO standards – what is known about the Ukrainian Bohdana self-propelled gun

The first Ukrainian self-propelled gun developed to NATO standards was baptized in combat during the liberation of Zmiinyi Island from the occupiers at the beginning of the war

The Bohdana self-propelled artillery system is a Ukrainian self-propelled artillery system. So far, it is the only one that has been developed for the standard NATO caliber of 155 millimeters.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

It is known that the UAV was adopted by the Ukrainian military in July 2023, but it has already shown high efficiency at the front.

At the very beginning of the full-scale war, in 2022, the Bohdana underwent a “baptism of fire” in a battle with the enemy for the then-occupied Zmeinyi Island.

The first public mention of the SAU

The first public mention of the Bohdan system appeared on July 14, 2018, when military expert Serhiy Zgurets spoke about it. He noted that the equipment will be shown to the public for the first time at the military parade in honor of Independence Day on August 24, 2018. It also became known that the self-propelled gun will have a caliber of 155 mm.

On August 24, 2018, the unit took part in the Independence Day parade.

The developer of the Bohdan air defense system is the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant. It was at this enterprise that all the main components of the artillery unit were designed and manufactured, including the barrel of the howitzer itself. About 10 defense companies are involved in the cooperation.

The new project is funded under the state defense order.

What is known about the updated ACS

In February 2013, the project of the updated UAS was demonstrated at the international exhibition IDEX-2023 in Abu Dhabi. It was announced that the customer could choose a 6×6 or 8×8 chassis, namely Tatra 815, KrAZ or MAN.

Technical characteristics of the Bogdana air defense system

According to various sources, the 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled artillery system has the following characteristics:

• chassis: KrAZ-63221;
• Weight: 28 tons;
• Service: 5 people;
• Travel speed: on the highway: 80 km/h, and on rough terrain: 30 km/h;
• range: on the highway: 800 km, and on rough terrain: 300 km.

Characteristics of the combat unit:

• 155 mm barrel;
• elevation angles: +5…+65°;
• automatic loading device for 6 shells (provided by the design documentation);
• rate of fire: 4-6 rounds per minute (with automatic loading);
• Ammunition: containers for 20 shells;
• minimum range of fire: 780 m; high-explosive fragmentation projectile: 42 km; active-reactive projectile: up to 60 km.

What the military say about the UAV

The military, who tested the vehicle on the battlefield, praised its technical characteristics.

“It’s more comfortable, the computer works better, the cross-country ability is better, it has climate control, it’s autonomous. It’s very comfortable,” said a mechanic-driver of the Bohdana with the call sign “Papa” who participated in the liberation of Zmiynyi Island.

He also emphasizes that the cabin is very stable during a shot: “It doesn’t throw, it doesn’t shake, it stands, it doesn’t move at all.”