What’s In Poland’s New $650 Million Ukraine Deal? The AHS Krab, a Big 155mm Howitzer, for Starters – Amid worsening fighting in Ukraine, Poland this week announced a new defense contract with Kyiv worth roughly $650 million.
During a joint press conference with Deputy Polish Prime Minister and Minister for State Assets Jacek Sasin, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that the deal would see Krab self-propelled howitzers sent to Ukraine.
“Right now, we are signing one of the largest, if not the largest, export defense contract in the last 30 years,” Morawiecki said on Tuesday. “This is the sale of weapons to Ukrainians, to Ukraine.”
The press conference was hosted by defense contractor company Huta Stalowa Wola and was used by the Polish politicians to reaffirm the country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
The Polish Prime Minister also confirmed that some money would be supplied by the European Union to assist with the purchase of new weapons, with the rest coming directly from Poland’s budget. The money will be used to deliver dozens of new howitzer units, with the first 18 having already been delivered to Ukraine, and an additional 56 now expected to arrive on Monday.
What is the Krab Howitzer?
The AHS Krab is a 155mm NATO-compatible self-propelled howitzer designed by Polish weapons manufacturer Centrum Produkcji Wojskowej Huta Stalowa Wola.
The Krab is fitted with night vision, allowing for easy use in the dark, as well as a direct fire sight, automatic fire suppression system, and a laser range-finder. The howitzer uses an integrated navigation system and also features an auxiliary power unit – meaning that all electronic equipment may be used on the vehicle even when the diesel engine is switched off or not functional.
Krab howitzers can fire six rounds per minute, travel at a maximum speed of 67km/h, and can fire standard HE-FRAG shells a distance of 30km. Rocket-assisted shells can be fired as far as 40km.
The delivery comes after Ukraine pleaded with the United States, United Kingdom, and other NATO countries to deliver long-range weapons systems that would allow the Ukrainian military to strike back onto Russian territory. No NATO country has complied with the request, however, opting instead to deliver weaponry like the Krab howitzer that offers medium-range firing capacity.
By delivering new howitzers from Europe, Ukraine is gradually receiving NATO-standard weapons in place of Soviet-era weaponry used in the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As Soviet-era weapons, tanks, and howitzers become increasingly difficult to procure, Ukrainian fighters are now receiving training to use NATO-standard equipment – something that may potentially set Ukraine back in the short term, but prove beneficial should the conflict continue for several more months.
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
aldol11
June 8, 2022 at 11:39 am
Russia’s days are numbered
Dimmer
June 9, 2022 at 9:37 am
What are your conclusions based on? This is far from a fact. And the funny thing is that as soon as Russia is eaten, the whole world will shudder. The US will not restrain anything.
They Call Me Mister T
June 8, 2022 at 11:52 am
Jack, how many artillery pieces have been sent to Ukraine? A thousand? A gorillion? And yet the Russians keep advancing!
speedster
June 8, 2022 at 9:16 pm
The article I read would seem to indicate the number of western howitzer as approximate 200. By comparison the pre conflict ukraine old Soviet howitzer figure was over 700. It’s not the quantity that’s important, it’s the quality as the western howitzer are 155 calibre as opposed to Soviet 152.5 calibre. Basically I think the western weapons have a three mile or four and half kilometre advantage.What really reinforces the western howitzer is the anti artillery radar given. In the Ukrainian position one would be tempted to use both 155mm howitzer and radars together to eliminate Russian artillery. It is known the russians have a traditional preponderance in artillery, so it would be advantageous to diminish Russian capability.
greenman
June 9, 2022 at 3:46 am
The ukraine latest statistic of Russian losses is 31700 and the much used multiple for wounded is three times that figure.
I have calculated that when the losses reach 36000, then an important Pareto, ratio of 20/80 will be achieved and consequently Russian military efficiency will be reduced by 80%.
Dimmer
June 9, 2022 at 9:39 am
You have funny math based on your imagination. We’ll wait and see what happens.
Dimm
June 9, 2022 at 9:34 am
Hypocrites, it would be fine to confront the Russian military. But your weapon is shooting at civilians. And the infrastructure is not related to the military. But there is no West, it knows how to fight only with civilians. Yugoslavia, Syria, Lebanon have shown it perfectly.