Ukrainian Forces Use Poland's AHS Krab Howitzer Against Russian Invaders

Ukrainian soldiers drive a self-propelled AHS Krab howitzer after engaging Russian forces in the Donetsk region on August 23.

The Polish government donated 18 Krabs to assist the Ukrainian military in its defense against the Russian invasion.

Designed in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola, the AHS Krab is a 155-mm NATO-compatible self-propelled howitzer.

MilitaryFactory.com reports that the project borrowed components from the PT-91 Twardy main battle tank (a highly modified Soviet/Russian T-72) with a turret based on the British AS-90M Braveheart self-propelled artillery vehicle, utilizing the barrel of the French-based Nexter gun system.

The conventional design is essentially a turret mounting a large-caliber main gun on a tracked chassis. Later modifications used the South Korean K9 Thunder chassis and Polish WB Electronics' Topaz artillery fire-control system.

 

Weighing in at 48 tons when fully loaded with fuel and ammunition, its maximum speed is 67 kilometers per hour, with an average road speed of up to 30 kph. The estimated operational range is 400 kilometers.

The crew of five consists of the driver, vehicle commander, gunner, and two ammunition handlers. 

It has a 60-round storage capacity for the 155-mm ammunition throughout the turret and hull.

The primary armament of the Krab is its 155-mm, 52-caliber main gun barrel, which is designed to fire a variety of NATO-used projectiles. Sustained rates of fire are approximately 18 rounds in three minutes.

The range of the 155-mm main gun is just under 30 kilometers, while assisted projectiles can reach 40 kilometers.

On June 2, Ukrinform reported that Poland would sell Ukraine an additional 60 Krabs in a deal worth $700 million.