Ukrainian self-propelled guns must also be authorized for overseas production! "Bodana" makes great achievements in actual combat and enters Poland

Ukrainian artillerymen operate the "Bernada" self-propelled gun. (Reuters file photo)

[Reporter Tu Jumin/Comprehensive Report] Ukraine is resisting Russian aggression by expanding its domestically produced weapons and even exporting them to overseas markets. The military news website "Defence Blog" reported that two Polish military companies have recently reached a cooperation agreement to jointly develop a 155 mm wheeled self-propelled gun chassis. The first equipment planned for production is the "Bohdana" self-propelled gun independently developed by Ukraine. This type of artillery, which participated in the 2022 Snake Island recovery operation, is still active on the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield.

"Bodana" was developed by the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Building Plant in Ukraine. It uses a NATO-standard 155 mm self-propelled gun with a maximum range of 50 kilometers. After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the "Bodana" self-propelled artillery was put into actual combat and played a role in the Ukrainian army's operation to regain the strategic Black Sea Snake Island in June of that year, becoming an important achievement of this domestically produced artillery.

Ukraine has also expanded the production of Bertana self-propelled guns as the war continues. According to previous reports by Ukrainian military media, as of September last year (2025), Ukraine had produced 345 Bertana self-propelled guns, with a monthly output of nearly 30 guns, indicating that this weapon has developed into an important artillery equipment for the Ukrainian army.

As for overseas production plans, the Polish PONAR Wadowice company established a joint venture PK MIL with the Ukrainian original factory in March this year. Poland holds 51% of the shares. It plans to produce the Bertana self-propelled gun and towed artillery versions in Poland and strive for overseas orders.

The report stated that PK MIL signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Polish SZCZĘŚNIAK Special Vehicle Company to jointly select and modify appropriate wheel chassis, and plan follow-up maintenance and technical support. Since "Berdana" has developed a variety of chassis configurations, it can be adjusted according to the logistics needs of various countries, which will help expand the international market. The official mass production schedule and order size will be announced later.