POL - AHS Krab (155mm samohybná kanónová houfnice, série)

Due to the problems that the development of the Polish chassis (UPG, respectively UPG-NG) had, it was decided in 2014 to prepare an alternative design for the howitzer using an already developed, foreign tracked chassis with its licensed production in Poland. The choice fell on the South Korean chassis used for the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer, and a prototype ShKH Krab with this chassis was introduced in 2015.


A total of 10 prototypes were produced from 2001 to 2016, the first 2 in 2001 and 2002 with the original turrets supplied from BAe Systems, the next 6 can be considered pre-production and were produced until 2012. All 8 vehicles with UPG-NG chassis, including the upgraded pair of the first prototypes, were inducted into the Polish Armed Forces' armament this year, and for use as a unit they were supplemented with a fire control vehicle (TOPAZ fire control system using a modified MT-LB chassis) and ammunition and technical support vehicles. A French 155mm cannon from Nexter was used on the vehicles. The remaining two prototypes were built in 2015 on a K9 howitzer chassis with a German 155mm cannon from Rheinmetal.


Poland ordered a total of 120 chassis from Hanwha Techwin, of which 24 were delivered from South Korea by 2017. 12 chassis are expected to be delivered from Korea in 2018-2020 and the rest are expected to be produced under license in Poland (Huta Stalowa Wola - HSW). However, some sources indicate that apart from the first 24 units, up to 96 chassis will be produced under license. The production is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with the reconstruction of vehicles on the UPG-NG chassis meanwhile used by the Polish Army.



For the 96 Krab howitzers, 12 command and staff vehicles (WDSz) and 32 command vehicles (WD) are ordered, using the LPG chassis (a light tracked chassis based on the Soviet MT-LB chassis) produced at Huta Stalowa Wola. In addition, the delivery also includes 24 ammunition vehicles (WA) and 4 repair vehicles focused on armament and electronics (WRUiE). These vehicles are built on the chassis of Jelcz trucks.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AHS_Krab
www.armadninoviny.cz
www.defence24.com

Cozy interior of Polish 155 mm self-propelled howitzers "KRAB" from inside.

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plik:AHS_krab.jpg

To bolo teda tesné...

Ukrajinský vojenský personál pracuje vo vnútri poľskej 155 mm samohybnej húfnice AHS Krab. Je zaujímavé poznamenať, že toto je prvýkrát, čo som videl takéto 155 mm delostrelecké granáty.

Koncom roka zaujímavý nález v AHS Krab. Možno ich nájsť online ako 1MM HE M4 A155 ERFB/BB na stránke ukrajinského importéra (predajcu zbraní?) "Production" 2023. IMO to vyzerá ako prefarbený juhoafrický M1A1 od RDM. Pod vodiacim krúžkom je rovnaký plastový krúžok.

BT verzia. Nejde však o prefarbené náboje od RDM, ale vyrobené v Indii. Na stránke obchodu je uvedené FOB z Bombaja a na stránke výrobcu je "Indian Ordnance Factories". Pod jedným z videí bol komentár, že po odpálení zvládli korekcie po vystrelení 20 kusov.

Wersja BT. Jednak nie są to przemalowane pociski od RDM, a wyrób z Indii.😮Na stronie sklepu podany jest FOB z Bombaju a strona producenta to "Indian Ordnance Factories". Pod jednym z filmików był komentarz że ogarnęli korekty po wystrzeleniu 20 szt 😁 pic.twitter.com/bOhXBwboCC
— Dawid 92 (@Dawid_92PL) December 30, 2023