Ukrainian-Made Bohdana Howitzers Now Dominate Artillery Use on the Front

Ukraine’s domestically produced Bohdana 155mm artillery systems now account for around 40% of all artillery used by Ukrainian troops on the front line, according to Ukrainian officer Andriy Zhuravlov.

Zhuravlov, deputy chief of staff of Ukraine’s Rocket Forces and Artillery Command, disclosed the figure in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

According to Zhuravlov, the data reflect the situation as of October 2025 and apply to both self-propelled and towed variants of the Bohdana system.

He said Ukraine’s Bohdana is now approaching the performance of France’s CAESAR wheeled self-propelled howitzers, of which Ukraine has received 200 or more units as part of international military aid, according to military tracking site Oryx.

Zhuravlov said active testing of the Bohdana began in 2022, and that work to improve the system has continued since then. In addition to the self-propelled version, a towed gun has been developed, with testing completed earlier this year.

“As of now, the enterprise has already developed and tested an automated fire control and aiming system for it, which speeds up gun laying,” Zhuravlov said.

“Testing of an automatic loading system is also ongoing.”

He added that work is underway on a third artillery system with a shorter barrel length of 39 calibers, compared with the current 52-caliber barrel used on the Bohdana.

Among the system’s advantages, Zhuravlov cited its ability to use a wide range of ammunition, which simplifies logistics, as well as a large barrel life reserve.

Other Topics of Interest

You Realize How Valuable Life Is When Death Feels Possible Every Day

In wartime Lviv, a punk and hardcore concert becomes both a space for solidarity and a fundraiser for Ukraine’s military. Through the voices of musicians and organizers – some performing, others serving on the front line – young Ukrainians do their best to cope with daily life in wartime, even as Russian attacks remain a constant threat.

“And today it is probably one of the most reliable artillery systems in terms of endurance,” he said.

“Its technical readiness at the front consistently reaches 80%. That is, it has the best survivability.”

As of October 2025, Zhuravlov said, Ukrainian-made 155mm Bohdana systems, both self-propelled and towed, make up about 40% of all artillery systems used on the front line. The trend underscores Kyiv’s growing reliance on homegrown firepower as the war rages on and Western supplies dwindle amid political uncertainty.

In April 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was able to produce 10 Bohdana systems per month and could expect increased production in the future, surpassing the goal of six units per month back in late 2023.