AS-90 self-propelled guns for Ukraine: new plans and old problems
AS-90 battery on exercise
Britain is preparing new military aid for the Kyiv regime. This time, she plans to hand over armored vehicles of various types, which are expected to reinforce Ukrainian formations. In particular, the dispatch of a certain number of AS-90 self-propelled howitzers has been announced. The possibility of transferring such equipment was already discussed several months ago, but the final decision was made only now.
Long way to the front
Last spring, the British authorities declared their readiness to provide the Kyiv regime with all the necessary support. Thus, it was reported about plans to transfer to him various weapons and armored vehicles, including artillery systems. However, the real deeds turned out to be much more modest than the declared intentions and rumors circulating.
At the end of March, the British media, citing their sources, reported that London plans to transfer the AS-90 self-propelled guns to Ukraine from the presence of its own army. This information has not been confirmed, but it has not been refuted either. A few weeks later, already in April, they appeared news about the possible transfer of two dozen combat vehicles and 45 thousand shots for them.
Literally the next day, the military department denied this information. According to Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace, the supply of self-propelled guns is excluded due to the complexity of such equipment. He actually expressed doubts about the ability of Ukrainian gunners to master these vehicles and use them effectively.
Over the next few months, AS-90 self-propelled guns were not actually remembered. These machines did not appear in official statements and were hardly mentioned in the press. However, a few days ago the situation changed, and it became known that the issue of supplying British self-propelled guns had already been resolved.
On January 14, 2023, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak officially announced a new assistance package to Ukraine, which will include several types of armored vehicles. Kyiv regime is going to transfer 14 main tanks Challenger 2 and ca. 30 AS-30 self-propelled howitzers. All equipment will be taken from parts of the British army.
On January 16, B. Wallace clarified the plans. According to him, the new package will include only 8 AS-90 machines. To ensure their combat work, 100 thousand artillery shells will be allocated.
Delivery dates have not yet been specified. In the near future, the British Army will begin training Ukrainian crews, which will take some time. After completing the training, the crews, together with the equipment, will be transported to Ukraine. Apparently, it will take at least a few weeks or months. However, it cannot be ruled out that training has already begun and has been going on for some time. This will speed up the possible timing of sending equipment and gunners to Ukraine.
Partial unification
It should be noted that the Kyiv regime already has self-propelled guns that are similar to the AS-90 and are directly related to them. These are Polish-made Armatohaubica Krab products, which can be considered as a further development of the basic AS-90.
Polish self-propelled guns AHS Krab with a British fighting compartment
Recall that in the late nineties in the UK a project was developed for a deep modernization of the existing AS-90 self-propelled guns called Braveheart. It provided for the replacement of the gun, fire control system and a number of other components. Despite a significant increase in tactical and technical characteristics, such a self-propelled gun did not suit the British army and did not go into the series.
At the same time, Poland began to look for a new self-propelled guns to rearm its ground forces. As a result, the winner of such a program was a specially designed self-propelled gun on a South Korean chassis with a fighting compartment from the British Braveheart. In the tenth years, this ACS was adopted under the name AHS Krab and put into series.
In May 2022, Poland transferred 18 of its Crab self-propelled guns to Ukraine. In addition, an agreement was reported for the supply of another 60 combat vehicles for a long time. Already in May-June, Polish self-propelled guns reached the combat zone, and their combat use began. The cars naturally became the target for Russian demilitarizing strikes. According to various sources, at least 7-8 such self-propelled guns have been destroyed or disabled by now.
According to the latest news, only 8 AS-90 units will be added to the remaining AHS Krabs in the near future. It is obvious that such a strengthening of the park will not give any special quantitative and qualitative advantages. In addition, Kyiv may not count on the benefits associated with the unification of technology. The AS-90 and the Polish SPG with the British turret, despite some similarities, are seriously different.
AS-90 crew in simulator
Artillery Park
The project of the promising ACS AS-90 was developed in the late eighties by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (VSEL). The self-propelled gun was created on an initiative basis as an alternative to the "official" SP-70 project. With the failure of the latter, the British Army turned to VSEL for help and it was able to complete its work.
Deliveries of serial self-propelled guns began in 1992 and ended in 1995. During this time, the British army received 179 armored vehicles. No export orders came in and the production line was closed down as unnecessary. Later on, VSEL and BAE Systems (since 1999) only supported the park by carrying out the necessary maintenance and repairs.
As the service continued, the ACS was gradually withdrawn from the active fleet and sent to storage or decommissioned. According to The Military Balance 2022, until recently, only 89 AS-90 products remained in service. What part of this park is ready for full-fledged operation, for transfer over a long distance and for participation in a full-fledged conflict, is a big question.
In addition, problems were reported in the area of personnel training. Due to economy and problems with equipment, practice firing is carried out quite rarely and with a limited consumption of ammunition. As a result, the level of training of British gunners may be insufficient, and their ability to properly train foreign colleagues is questionable.
Technical limitations
From the point of view of appearance, the AS-90 is a typical modern self-propelled gun. This is a tracked armored fighting vehicle with a 155-mm howitzer in a full-rotation turret. The self-propelled gun is designed for firing from open and closed positions at various small and area targets. Combat weight - approx. 46 tons. Crew - 5 people. on the march and up to 10 people. during the shooting.
Transportation of projectiles without technical devices
AS-90 was created in the late eighties and according to the standards of that time. In this regard, the self-propelled guns are equipped with a 155-mm rifled gun with a barrel length of 39 klb. The gun uses separate loading shots with NATO standard projectiles and a propellant charge in a burning cap. Loading by the crew allows you to make a burst of 3 shots in 10 seconds. With continuous shooting, the rate is reduced to 2 rds / min.
When using a conventional high-explosive fragmentation projectile, the maximum firing range exceeds 24 km. The use of active-reactive ammunition brings this parameter to 30 km. At the same time, the 155-mm gun is capable of using NATO guided projectiles, which increases the accuracy of fire.
At the time of its appearance and entry into service, the AS-90 was a good modern self-propelled gun. However, about 30 years have passed since then, and during this time the requirements for self-propelled artillery have changed. In addition, new models with higher performance characteristics have appeared. For example, the Polish "Crab", made on the basis of AS-90, has obvious advantages.
Obvious Problems
The UK is just preparing its AS-90s to be sent to Ukraine, but it is already clear what problems they will face in the war zone. In general, the prospects for these machines are the saddest - like other equipment inherited by Ukrainian formations, they will be systematically destroyed by one means or another.
Loading caps with charges
At the same time, the Kyiv regime is unlikely to be able to realize even the remaining potential of self-propelled guns. This will be prevented by an extremely small amount of equipment, its obsolescence and, possibly, physical wear and tear. In addition, another type of armored vehicle in service will further complicate the supply and maintenance, which already faces serious problems.
It is also necessary to take into account the constant impact from the enemy. The Russian army has all the necessary means to identify and subsequently destroy enemy artillery systems, incl. mobile self-propelled guns. This means that any AS-90 self-propelled guns becomes a potential target for Russian projectiles, missiles or UAVs.
Help and harm
The new military aid package from the UK is seriously different from the previous ones. London for the first time transfers tanks and self-propelled howitzers to Kyiv. It is assumed that such supplies will positively affect the state and capabilities of Ukrainian formations. However, the fate of other armored vehicles, both available from Ukraine and received from abroad, transparently hints at the prospects for the AS-90 self-propelled guns and Challenger-2 tanks.
The UK now has over 200-220 Challenger 2 MBTs and approx. 90 AS-90 self-propelled guns. This means that it is able to continue deliveries of such equipment and help the Kyiv regime. However, each new batch of aid will directly harm the British defenses. Whether London is ready to sacrifice its security for the continuation of the Ukrainian adventure - time will tell.
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