Poland prepares to start production of Ukraine's Bohdana self-propelled howitzer
A Polish-Ukrainian company PK MIL SA has prepared to begin producing Ukraine's Bohdana self-propelled howitzers in Poland.
Source: Business Insider Polska, citing Puls Biznesu, a Polish-language daily newspaper and digital media outlet
Details: The Bohdana is a Ukrainian-made 155mm self-propelled artillery system which the report said has "already earned recognition on the battlefield in Ukraine".
The joint venture PK MIL SA was set up in October last year by Poland's Ponar Wadowice and the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant. The company is completing the formal procedures needed to launch production in Poland. Ponar Wadowice holds 51% in the joint venture.
Ukraine developed the Bohdana howitzer to modernise its artillery in line with NATO standards. After Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 the production rose sharply. Since then more than 600 units have been built and they have fired more than 800,000 rounds.
Quote: "Production in Poland opens up the possibility for Bohdana to be exported to other countries which is not possible for equipment produced in Ukraine."
More details: Ponar Wadowice, which has experience producing components for the defence industry, including hydraulic systems for Krab howitzers and Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, is expected to manufacture key components for the system.
PK MIL SA plans to sell the howitzers to the Polish Armed Forces and to foreign customers.
Poland currently operates Soviet-era 152mm Dana howitzers which were due to be replaced by a more modern system under the Kryl programme. That project was suspended.
"Bohdana is the ideal candidate to replace this equipment. It is significantly cheaper than the competing systems and meets NATO requirements," Ponar Wadowice board adviser Jacek Zygmunt said.
Zygmunt said the company aims to offer a competitive price through production optimisation and the experience of its Ukrainian partners, which could be a key factor for potential buyers.
He added that the system is already attracting interest in various regions including Europe, particularly on NATO's eastern flank.
Background:
- The Bohdana was presented at the World Defence Show 2026 arms exhibition in Saudi Arabia, marking its first physical appearance in the Middle East. The system was first transported to Slovakia after receiving a temporary state permit. It was then delivered by a Ukrainian An-124 Ruslan aircraft, which transported the 28-tonne Bohdana to the open exhibition area at World Defence Show 2026.
- Ukraine's Ground Forces previously reported that the Bohdana self-propelled system and its towed version account for about 40% of artillery on the front. It was also reported earlier that Ukraine and Germany will jointly produce 200 Bohdana units on Mercedes-Benz chassis.
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