Ukraine calls on Polish Krab howitzers to defend against invasion
On social media, a new recording has been published confirming that Ukrainians are continuously using Krab self-propelled howitzers. This weapon is from Poland, and we will discuss its most important features here.
A short video was published on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence's official profile on platform X (formerly Twitter). It emphasized that Krabs are still serving the defending army to repel invaders. It also highlighted one of the key features of this weapon - the 155 mm calibre gun.
ASH Krab in Ukraine
The equipment produced by Huta Stalowa Wola is similar in this regard to other artillery used in NATO countries. The 155 mm calibre shells are standard in modern artillery used in Alliance states.
Like the German PzH 2000, Krab has a 52-calibre barrel length. The minimum range is estimated at 3 miles. The maximum range for shells fired from the Polish self-propelled howitzer is around 25 miles. The design is adapted for firing standard shells and shells with a gas generator (the latter having a longer range). Both types contain 20 lbs of TNT.
Polish weapons praised by Ukrainians
Polish self-propelled howitzers are machines that have been praised multiple times by Ukrainian soldiers and politicians. In 2023, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Zwarych, stated that Krabs are weapons that managed to change the situation on the front. Artillerymen using Krabs often emphasized that it is a weapon characterized by very good accuracy and high durability.
The clearest evidence of the high utility of Polish self-propelled howitzers is that they have fought multiple times on the front line, including under Bakhmut and Avdiivka.
In Ukraine, Krabs also perform very well in terms of mobility. Let us recall that Polish self-propelled howitzers use tracked chassis to overcome difficult obstacles even in muddy terrain. They also have an engine with 1,000 hp.
The manufacturer declares that on paved roads, Krabs can accelerate to 37 mph, but Ukrainian soldiers claim that they actually achieve even higher speeds—up to 43 mph. This 106,000-lb equipment's range on a single tank of fuel is about 249 miles.
