Polish Ministry of Defence will open a second production line for AHS (Armatohaubica Samobie?na) Krab self-propelled howitzers at Zaklady Mechaniczne “Bumar-Labedy” SA in Gliwice, according to an announcement by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on October 13, 2023. The investment will amount to PLN 800 million (approximately USD 200 million) and is expected to create 54 new jobs per year. The AHS Krab is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer that has been in service with the Polish Army since 2016. It is based on the South Korean K9 Thunder chassis, STX Engine-MTU Friedrichshafen engineand is equipped with a British BAE Systems AS-90M Braveheart turret. The AHS Krab has a range of 40 km and can fire up to six rounds per minute.
The new production line is expected to be operational in 2025 and will help to meet the growing demand for the Krab, both domestically and internationally. Poland has already sold Krabs to Ukraine and is in talks with other countries about potential sales. The opening of the second production line is a significant development for the Polish defense industry. It demonstrates Poland’s commitment to developing its own indigenous capabilities and to meeting the needs of its armed forces. The Krab is a world-class howitzer and its production in Poland will help to strengthen the Polish defense industry and create jobs.
In addition to the above, the opening of the second production line for Krab self-propelled howitzers will have a number of other benefits:
It will increase Poland’s production capacity for artillery systems, which is important in light of the current security situation in Europe.
It will help to reduce Poland’s reliance on foreign suppliers for artillery systems.
It will create new jobs and boost the local economy in Gliwice and the surrounding region.
It will further strengthen the Polish defense industry and make it more competitive on the international market.
The opening of the second production line for Krab self-propelled howitzers is a positive development for Poland and its defense industry. It is a sign that Poland is investing in its own security and is committed to developing its own indigenous capabilities. The Polish government donated 18 Krabs to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian military defend the nation against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The two governments signed a contract under which Poland will sell Ukraine an additional 60 Krabs, in a deal worth $700 million. With the deal, Ukraine became the first export customer for Polish Krabs. The agreement was the largest defence contract that Poland had made in the previous 20 years.
