Polish firms prepare to build Ukraine’s Bohdana away from Russia’s front—Kramatorsk’s howitzer heads west

Two Polish defense firms, PK MIL and Szczęśniak Pojazdy Specjalne, have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the production of Ukraine's Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, according to Ukrainian military outlet Militarnyi. The deal deepens a previous Polish-Ukrainian venture established last year to manufacture the weapon in Poland.

The ongoing conflict in Donbas, where Russia continues to push the front line, has forced Ukraine to bolster its defenses by producing more weapons domestically and relocating production underground. As a result, Ukraine's Bohdana howitzer production has surged from just one gun in 2022 to 40 per month by October 2025, with the figure likely including towed versions as well.

The new Polish factory would allow Ukraine to build more of these weapons outside its borders, in a NATO country. The agreement was signed at MSPO, Poland's international defense industry fair in Kielce. PK MIL, responsible for the artillery component, and Szczęśniak, known for its expertise in designing special vehicles, will work together to prepare for the production of the 155-mm wheeled Bohdana.

Both companies aim to extend their cooperation to include servicing, repairs, and operational support for the machines once delivered. PK MIL, a joint venture between Poland's PONAR Wadowice and Ukraine's Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant, intends to produce both the self-propelled Bohdana and its towed version, Bohdana-BG. The Ukrainian partner's hometown of Kramatorsk, located about 15 km from the front line, was hit by a Russian airstrike in October 2025, destroying its city executive committee building.

However, production in Poland is also seen as an opportunity to enter international markets, with potential buyers in Poland and other European nations. As of March 2026, Ukraine had already built over 600 Bohdanas, with the gun now available on four different truck chassis. This flexibility in production helps ensure a steady supply despite potential disruptions to any single vehicle supplier.