The Ukrainian army received 18 modern KRAB self-propelled howitzers from Poland, the Radio Information Agency determined.
According to Radio Information interlocutor from government circles, it is about equipment for three artillery squadrons. Poland has also trained one hundred Ukrainian artillerymen to operate the KRAB cannon howitzers. The Ukrainians now have at least 24 Western self-propelled howitzers thanks to Polish aid.
France donated six pieces of a similar type of equipment called Caesar. In turn, Germany and the Netherlands have declared that they will hand over a total of 12 pieces, but Berlin explains that the crews to operate their Panzerhaubitzen 2000 are still being trained, and the date when the equipment will be delivered to the East is unknown. Yesterday, the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense informed about the appearance of the cannon-howitzers without specifying their origin. Oleksiy Reznikov wrote that Ukraine received a "modification" of the M109 howitzer, present in the arsenals of many countries.
Poland is the second-largest donor of equipment to Ukraine.
KRABs are equipment that the Polish army has used for several years. The contract with the domestic defense industry was concluded in 2016 and provided for the delivery of almost 100 howitzers. Two years ago, the Ministry of Defense updated the contract and ordered more weapons. The KRABs are produced by Huta Stalowa Wola. The tracked chassis is under a Korean license, and the 155 mm caliber gun is a modification of the British armament. The maximum firing range is 40 km with basic ammunition. In a minute, the Krab can fire six times.
The transfer of new equipment to the Ukrainian army is possible, among other things, thanks to the law in force since mid-March, making it easier to transfer weapons to Ukraine. Poland is the second-largest donor of equipment to Ukraine - after the USA.
The weapons that came to Ukraine from Poland include about 250 T-72 tanks, 2S1 Goździk self-propelled howitzers, and Grad rocket launchers. Poland also provided air-to-air missiles for MIG-29 and Su-27 aircraft.
In addition to heavy equipment, there are also drones produced by the Polish WB Electonics, which serve, among others, for reconnaissance activities. Ukrainians boast about having Polish Warmate drones - a circulating ammunition system similar to the American Switchblade. From the Polish arsenal to the fighters with Russia also went, among others, Piorun portable anti-aircraft missile systems, which have already shot down Russian helicopters officially unconfirmed. Poland also provides Ukraine with large amounts of ammunition.
