Polish MND delivers eight 155 mm Krabs to 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade
Krabs were manufactured by the national company Huta Stalowa Wola (photo – Polish MND)
The Polish MND announced on 28 December the delivery of eight new 155 mm Krab self-propelled howitzers (SPH) to the 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade. The new systems were manufactured by the national company Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW).
Apart from the Krabs, the Brigade also received one battery command vehicle, two command post vehicles, two ammunition supply vehicles, one armament and electronics repair vehicle and one squadron command staff vehicle.
The 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade is part of the 18th Mechanised Division which is responsible for ensuring the security of the east of the country and eastern flank of NATO as well as protecting the Polish-Belarusian border.
In 2016, the Polish MND awarded HSW an over PLN 4.6 billion ($1,2 billion) contract for the supply of 96 Krabs, with deliveries scheduled to take place by 2024.
The Polish Army has taken delivery of the first batch of serial production Krab SPHs in 2019. So far, Poland has received a total of 80 platforms.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, this vehicle consists of a locally produced version of the Hanwha Defense K9 Thunder hull mated with the turret from the BAE Systems AS90 self-propelled gun. It is armed with a 155mm L/52 gun designed by Rheinmetall.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
NATO and Europe step up UGV efforts
The effort to develop uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) is heating up with research efforts and exercises improving the speed of the process and the war in Ukraine is working as a proving ground for rapid development and fielding.
-
Ireland’s Reamda develops new version of Riddler UGV
The company's Riddler uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) is designed to be small and light to allow easy deployment and the ability to access smaller areas such as bus or train aisles.
-
Spain to invest billions of dollars on howitzers and other vehicles as it looks to select new tanks
The Spanish Government has outlined plans to purchase communications and cybersecurity capabilities but most notably amphibious combat vehicles, self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), bridge-laying vehicles and an effort to replace its tanks from 2040.
-
What does Germany’s new tank joint venture mean for MGCS?
Germany is Europe’s leading country for tank manufacture and until this month was committed to the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) which included tanks and other vehicles. Earlier this month, Germany and other European countries set up the Main ARmoured Tank of Europe (MARTE) project casting a shadow over the MGCS.
-
CAVS rolls on as Denmark orders 129 vehicles
Denmark signed the Technical Arrangement for the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) in April this year. The order means the country will receive its first vehicle this year.