As of October 2025, the Ukrainian self-propelled artillery system 'Bogdana' accounts for about 40% of all artillery systems deployed on the front lines. Colonel Andriy Zhuravlev, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Rocket Forces and Artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, shared this information in an interview.
He stated that the Rocket Forces and Artillery not only order 'Bogdanas' but also oversee the entire development cycle, from requirement formulation to testing.
"We study the usage, analyze it, and can request modifications from the manufacturing company to improve this weapon," Zhuravlev noted.
According to reports, the Ukrainian 'Bogdana' is nearing the capabilities of Western equivalents, particularly the French CAESAR. However, at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the system was only in its early stages of development, while CAESAR had undergone around seven years of testing.
Active testing of 'Bogdana' began in 2022, and its modernization is ongoing. Currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces possess both self-propelled and towed versions of this artillery system, with the towed version undergoing trials at the beginning of 2025.
The manufacturer has also developed and tested an automated fire control system for 'Bogdana', which reduces the preparation time for firing. Testing of an automatic loading system is ongoing, and another artillery system with a 39-caliber barrel is being developed alongside the current 52-caliber version.
Colonel Zhuravlev pointed out several advantages of 'Bogdana' over foreign artillery systems, including its ability to use a wide range of munitions, simplifying logistics, and having a significant barrel lifespan.
"Today, it is perhaps one of the most reliable artillery systems in terms of durability. Its technical readiness on the front is consistently around 80%. This indicates its superior survivability," Zhuravlev emphasized.
The Rocket Forces and Artillery do not rule out that in the medium term, 'Bogdana' may become the foundational artillery system for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in various modifications.
During the full-scale war, Ukrainian artillery has undergone significant transformation, evolving from the use of Soviet models to a combination of Western systems and domestic developments. A key element in this process has been the 155mm self-propelled howitzer 'Bogdana'. More details can be found in the article by 'Oboronka': 'Self-Propelled Howitzer 'Bogdana', Competition with FPV Drones, and Ever-Living Soviet Howitzers. Everything You Need to Know About Ukrainian Artillery'
