New iterations of Bohdana: how Ukraine is overcoming its dependence on imports in the defense industry
the 44th Artillery Brigade “rolled out” a photo of a new version of the Bohdan self-propelled artillery system with a Ukrainian armored cabin. As you can see, experiments are continuing to localize components and spare parts to reduce dependence on imports with their need for currency and dependence on the internal policies of individual countries.
Characteristics and features of iterations
Today, photos of the third and fourth iterations (Tatra 815-7 and Tatra 158 Phoenix with an 8×8 wheelbase, respectively) of the iterations, as well as the version with an armored Puma cab, are most often seen.
Most likely, the problem is that when switching from the Tatra 815-7, it was difficult to ensure the same production speed as on the new Phoenixes, and the Puma had to wait 7-8 months for a full cycle.
Judging by the fact that we claim to produce 15-20 APCs per month, which is twice as many as France, we went for two parallel versions – on different chassis and with different armored cabins.
The reason is clear – the Tatra 815-7 is gradually being phased out, so we chose a unification zoo to keep the speed of delivery to the troops.
The photo shows small differences with the Czech Puma – ventilation, lack of lighting above the windows.
But in general, it is the same anti-shrapnel cab that can withstand a close burst of a 152 mm shell, with a reinforced bottom and special seats that can withstand an anti-tank mine detonation under the vehicle’s bridge.
The guns have recently received a ballistic radar, an ammunition delivery handle (a full automatic rifle may be in the works), and a sophisticated anti-drone net. In other words, there is constant modernization.
The Ukrainianization of the cab, the ammunition feeder, the barrels (probably not all of them are domestic, as the 155 mm L52 is produced by German Rheinmetal and French Nexter) is what brought us to the point where Kyiv produces more self-propelled artillery systems than most of the world’s big-name manufacturers.
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The scale is good, but more can and should be done
The cost of a UAV is approximately $2.3-2.8 million, depending on the chassis version and options. But the Ukrainianization of the cab definitely pushes this figure down.
Kyiv has produced 180-200 vehicles, of which 10% have failed and been lost.
Today, the Bogdan is being used by the best units – artillery brigades (at least 6 units), the National Guard, police brigades, and marines. So far, we will not be able to meet the needs of the huge front.
Due to the replacement of losses, dozens of new bodies and the need to maintain a gap with Russian artillery, we are lagging behind in terms of shells fired per day, but we must maintain a gap in accuracy and firing distance.
European production and the “Danish model”
The production chain is now fully duplicated, including sites abroad, so that neither missile arrivals, nor protests, nor sabotage can interrupt the process.
This helps to attract investment – of course, the EU countries are interested in having sites on their territory that can be quickly scaled up if Moscow tries to attack.
Naturally, not only this, but also the “Danish model” – investments by rich countries with high GDP and a small military-industrial complex in Ukrainian facilities.
Denmark alone has invested 4.4 billion kroner ($422 million) in the past and plans to invest another 2.4 billion ($230 million) this year. But there is a whole coalition of such countries.
Money, technology, factories, exchange of experience, practice for field crews and the best workers – all this cannot but lead to an increase in the number of UAVs per month.
In case of combat damage, parts and spare parts are ordered at specially reserved facilities and produced within 48 hours, which speeds up the deployment and return to combat missions.
Therefore, we can state the fact that under the pressure of CABs, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, Ukraine has been increasing the production of heavy equipment for months on end. The EU serves in this chain as both a donor and a platform for duplicating and increasing production.
This is a strategic advantage. The enemy can occupy Chasiv Yar, Pokrovsk, any settlement, but there will be no people, no production of shells, no equipment.
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