Image source: topwar.ru
The Army Recognition publication, citing Ukrainian sources, notes that Ukraine continues to develop a towed version of the 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled howitzer. As part of the project, which is called "Bogdana-B", it is planned to install an artillery unit of a Ukrainian self-propelled gun on the carriage of a Soviet howitzer. At the same time, the specific type of howitzer that served as the prototype for this system has not been disclosed. However, suitable systems for these purposes are "Msta-B", "Hyacinth-B" and D-20.
Despite the fact that towed artillery has less mobility and does not have armored protection, the cost of its production is much lower, simplicity and higher reliability can also be added to this advantage.
Image source: topwar.ru
The publication considers the chassis from Hyacinth-B to be the most suitable choice for Bogdana-B, given its adaptation to the proportional energy and weight of the breech of the Bogdana self-propelled gun. If an approach is chosen that involves shortening the barrel by 2 thousand mm, thus the artillery part will become more compact and can be installed on a lighter carriage from Msta-B.
The initiative to develop a towed version of the Bogdana originated in 2023 and was driven by the desire to obtain a simpler and less visible system to enhance the capabilities of the AFU artillery. The Bogdana-B towed howitzers are designed to replace outdated Soviet towed guns, the barrels of which have been largely worn out over ten years of active operation in combat conditions.
The Ukrainian self-propelled gun "Bogdana", first introduced in 2018, is the first gun produced in Ukraine, designed for the standard caliber of the armies of NATO countries 155 mm.
