Ukraine's artillery production surpasses European output, expert says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that in 2024, the domestic military-industrial complex produced 154 units of artillery. This is more than the new artillery systems produced by the entire European military-industrial complex combined. According to military and political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko, this demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to ramp up production despite wartime constraints, solidifying its position as a key player in the global arms industry.

“Of course, we are all well aware that the only self-propelled artillery unit (SAU) assembled in Ukraine from scratch is the 2S22 Bohdana,” the observer highlights. The Bohdana’s development marks a significant achievement for Ukraine’s defense sector, as it reduces reliance on foreign artillery systems and enhances self-sufficiency.

In December 2023, President Zelenskyy reported that the production rate of Bohdana SAUs was six units per month. By April 2024, he announced an increase to 10 units per month, and in September, it was revealed that 18 Bohdana systems had been transferred, including those funded through Denmark’s financial assistance program. Kovalenko has pointed out that this increase in production is a direct result of both improved manufacturing processes and international support.

Given the dynamics of these reports, it is evident that Ukraine can now produce more than 20 Bohdana SAUs per month, making it one of the leaders in wheeled artillery system production. Kovalenko highlights that, aside from China and India, no other country currently matches Ukraine's production volumes for such systems.

However, given the ongoing intensity of the war, even these figures are insufficient to achieve parity in artillery capabilities. Kovalenko asserts that Ukraine will need to further increase production and refine the technical and technological aspects of its assembly lines to meet battlefield demands.

Another crucial aspect is Ukraine’s rapid advancement in military-industrial capabilities despite the war. Kovalenko argues that if Ukraine is already outperforming European defense industries in key categories, its post-war potential is even more significant. He predicts that Ukraine could soon emerge as one of the world’s leading military hardware producers. The Bohdana SAU serves as a clear indicator of this progress — not only does it match Western artillery in performance, but Ukraine is now outpacing Europe’s leading manufacturers in production numbers.

“Considering the current trajectory, I would not be surprised if we soon hear that Bohdana SAU production has exceeded 30 units per month,” Kovalenko notes. Ukraine’s defense industry is on an unprecedented growth path, positioning the country as a major global arms producer in the near future.

• Ukraine's Defense Forces are keen to receive not only large quantities of weapons from allies but also the latest models. One such example is the German self-propelled artillery system RCH 155, with Ukraine set to be its first operator – even before Germany.