Ukraine has introduced a prototype of its latest towed artillery system, the “Bohdana-BG,” to international partners.
According to reports from Militarny, this new artillery system is a hybrid of the Ukrainian-made Bohdana and the Soviet-era 152mm 2A36 Giatsint-B artillery system, modified to incorporate modern features.
The Bohdana system has been mounted on the carriage of the Giatsint-B, aiming to create a cost-effective and easily producible artillery solution for Ukraine’s military. The development of towed artillery systems comes at a crucial time for Ukraine as it seeks to rapidly expand its artillery capabilities in the face of ongoing conflict with Russia.
Towed artillery offers several advantages over self-propelled systems, particularly in terms of production and operational simplicity. “Their production is much cheaper, simpler, and therefore faster compared to self-propelled units, which is a key factor for Ukraine today,” Militarny reported. This allows for quicker manufacturing and deployment on the battlefield, making it a practical solution in current conditions.
Additionally, towed systems like the Bohdana-BG are more reliable and easier to maintain. They lack many of the complex components found in self-propelled artillery, making them less prone to technical failures. In the event of vehicle breakdowns, the towed artillery can simply be attached to a replacement truck and returned to service.
Towed howitzers also tend to have higher survivability rates in combat. “When damaged by shrapnel or drone strikes, towed howitzers are often sent for repair, replacing some components and quickly returning to the front,” notes the report. In contrast, self-propelled artillery units are more likely to suffer irreversible damage when hit.
However, the primary drawback of towed artillery remains its reduced mobility compared to self-propelled systems. On modern battlefields, mobility is critical. During counter-battery operations, self-propelled artillery can rapidly withdraw from firing positions, while towed systems require more time to pack up and relocate, leaving them exposed for longer periods.