With heavy losses: Polish self-propelled guns AHS Krab in Ukraine
AHS Krab self-propelled guns at the front, May 2022. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Last year, Poland donated to the Kyiv regime a number of AHS Krab self-propelled artillery mounts from its army. Such equipment quickly got into the combat zone and began combat work. However, there are known risks and threats at the front, as a result of which the fleet of Ukrainian "Crabs" has suffered serious losses by now.
Gift and contract
Information about the possible delivery of self-propelled guns Krab from the presence of Polish ground forces to Ukraine appeared last spring. Already at the end of May, the Polish media reported on the shipment of such equipment. The Kyiv regime received 18 self-propelled guns, as well as ammunition and additional equipment for them, free of charge, in the form of military assistance. In addition, one of the Polish training centers had trained a hundred Ukrainian artillerymen by this time.
Not later than a few weeks later, at the end of May, the Crabs entered the combat zone. At the same time, the first photo and video materials appeared, demonstrating their presence and use at the front.
Self-propelled gun in a camouflaged position. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Just a few days later, it became known that Warsaw and Kyiv were planning new deliveries of the AHS Krab. As reported by the Polish media and confirmed by officials, a contract was signed for the construction and transfer to the Ukrainian side of 54 new self-propelled guns and related materiel. The total cost of equipment and other property will be PLN 3 billion (approx. USD 700 million), making this the most expensive contract in the stories modern Polish military exports.
The transfer of new "Crabs" for Ukraine has not yet been reported. However, production is already being prepared, and organizational and other issues are being resolved. In particular, Poland receives the necessary permits from foreign partners. The fact is that the Krab self-propelled guns are built on a South Korean-designed chassis and include a lot of imported components. In some cases, the export of such equipment requires the permission of the supplier of the units.
In early March, it became known that South Korea had issued several export licenses to the Polish side that it needed. Similar documents and permits from other foreign suppliers are likely to appear soon. Such licenses will make it possible to manufacture 54 self-propelled guns and transfer them to the Kyiv regime. At the same time, the terms of construction and delivery are still unknown.
Consequences of a failed shot. Photo Telegram / BMPD
In the war zone
So far, Ukraine, according to official figures, has received only 18 Polish AHS Krab vehicles - a set for one self-propelled artillery battalion with several batteries. The existing contract will create three more divisions. Of course, if by the time deliveries begin it will be relevant and it will be possible to fulfill it in full.
It is known that "Crabs" one by one and as part of batteries are used in different sectors of the front. At the same time, Ukrainian artillerymen have to use all the main functions and the full potential of the self-propelled system. First of all, we are talking about high mobility. The crews try to get into position as quickly as possible, fire and go to a safe place - until they are spotted and hit back. At the same time, it is far from always possible to escape from counter-battery fire and other means.
Last year, it became known that Polish-made self-propelled guns are facing technical problems. Thus, the intensity of operation exceeds the calculated one, which leads to premature wear and breakdown of components and assemblies, including the most important ones. Last year's incident with the rupture of the barrel of one of the self-propelled guns was widely known: when fired, half of the worn pipe literally flew off to the side along with the projectile.
The wreckage of the "Crab", shot down in November. Photo Lostarmour.info
The Polish side is aware of such problems and has taken action. If necessary, "Crabs" and other equipment are evacuated to Polish territory for medium and major repairs. After restoration, the machines are returned to parts for further service.
Forced demilitarization
Despite all the measures and tricks, the Ukrainian artillery suffers serious losses, and the AHS Krab self-propelled guns are no exception. To date, the Russian army has destroyed a significant part of the existing fleet of such self-propelled guns with the help of various strike means. At the same time, the process of forced demilitarization by force continues, and we can expect new reports of wrecked and burned "Crabs".
The Russian Ministry of Defense first officially announced the destruction of the Krab self-propelled guns in October last year. In the future, reports from the Ministry of Defense mentioned several more similar episodes. In total, to date, the defeat of a large number of "Crabs" has been declared, comparable to the officially announced volume of delivered equipment.
The well-known resource LostArmour provides slightly different data. To date, according to available materials, he has established and confirmed the defeat of seven self-propelled guns. At the same time, the first of them was destroyed in July last year. The second was hit in November, and in December the enemy lost four more. The last such loss, confirmed by video footage, was in January.
Burnt self-propelled guns in the Dnipropetrovsk region, December 2022. Photo by Lostarmour.info
Data from two sources show that the Russian army has been confident and successful in finding and hitting AHS Krab self-propelled guns for a long time. The marked discrepancy in dates and numbers can be explained in several ways. So, Ukraine and Poland can restore equipment that is damaged, but suitable for repair.
New shipments may also take place. It cannot be ruled out that the Polish side, solving its political tasks, sends new armored vehicles to the Ukrainian partners to replace the destroyed ones. In addition, the recent acquisition of export licenses makes it possible to start deliveries of new equipment under last year's commercial contract. It is unlikely that Warsaw was waiting for all the documents to be drawn up, and could already begin production of new self-propelled guns for Kyiv.
According to a predictable scenario
In general, the situation around the Polish AHS Krab self-propelled guns in service with Ukrainian formations is developing according to a predictable scenario. Its main features could have been predicted last spring. Accordingly, further events are also quite easy to predict.
Evacuation of the damaged ACS. The item may be refurbishable. December 2022 Photo by Losarmour.info
Poland handed over to Ukraine a divisional set of its own self-propelled guns, and the recipient began to use them in battles. As was immediately expected, despite all precautions, the Crabs and other foreign equipment could not make up for the losses of the Ukrainian formations. In addition, they themselves have become targets for strikes, and the number of such equipment in the ranks is constantly declining.
The enemy, with foreign aid, is trying to restore the AHS Krab fleet, but the total number of such equipment and, accordingly, the combat potential remain at an insufficient level. The existing contract for self-propelled guns of new production, in theory, can improve the situation, but the timing of the delivery of equipment remains unknown. How the position of the Ukrainian artillery will change by that time is a big question.
However, it is clear that the Ukrainian side has no reasons for optimism. Despite foreign assistance in the form of supplies of equipment, its repair, etc., the overall potential of self-propelled artillery is gradually declining due to natural wear and tear and the active influence of the Russian army. It is quite clear what this will lead to in the end. And the final will not suit either the Ukrainian or the Polish side.
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