Need new barrels? Ukraine is selling.
Just 10 years ago, Ukrainian industry had no experience in the mass production of artillery, but today the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine-Tool Plant manufactures barrels not only for Ukrainian systems but also for foreign ones
en.defence-ua.com
Further to.....
The Ukrainians have spare capacity because their government has stopped ordering guns.
"155-mm Bohdana howitzers, which account for 70% of Ukraine's total artillery arsenal. However, production of these systems is at risk of being halted."
"In total, more than 1,000 systems from the Bohdana family have already been manufactured, accounting for as much as 70% of Ukraine's entire artillery fleet. However, KZVV has not received a government order for nine months, which is expected to lead to a halt in production. Moreover, production will remain suspended for several months even if an order is received now, as the company needs six months to prepare components for a new contract."
"it is important to note that this does not mean that all of the military's needs are met and that production is no longer necessary. Artillery remains relevant on the battlefield despite the dominance of drones, providing high firepower and strike capabilities. To enhance its survivability, the focus is now shifting toward
procuring longer-range 155-mm ammunition."
"the CAESAR Mk2—which is conceptually similar to the Bohdana—costs approximately $3.2 million per unit under its contract with France, but with a full export package, it could be significantly more expensive."
"the self-propelled Bohdana costs $2.5 million, while the towed Bohdana-BG, mounted on a Soviet chassis, costs $1.6 million."
"A Ukrainian-produced gun carriage has also already been developed and will cost several hundred thousand dollars, bringing the total cost of the finished system to $1.8 million."
.....
FYI - HIMARS comparison.
- U.S. Domestic Price: A single launcher costs around $4.9 million based on recent U.S. Army budgets. Newer production lots can reach up to $7.8 million per unit. [1, 2]
- Foreign Export Price: International sales often cost $19 million to $20 million per launcher. These higher prices cover the truck chassis, communication gear, and extra support equipment. [1, 2]
US Army thank you for wasting my tax dollars (again).
