The Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Blaszczak, has approved a contract for the acquisition of the next 152 KRAB self-propelled howitzers. The value of the contract to the Polish defence industry is approximately PLN 10 billion.

“The contract concerns the acquisition of 152 Krab cannon howitzers together with accompanying vehicles, i.e. ammunition vehicles, technical supervision vehicles, and vehicles for the command of individual units. ‘This contract was signed just now and it constitutes, I repeat once again, an important element in strengthening the Polish Armed Forces”, said the minister.

The divisional fire module of 155mm self-propelled howitzers KRAB is designed to provide fire support at the brigade and division level. One module consists of 24 ex. 155 mm KRAB self-propelled cannon howitzers as well as 2 command and staff vehicles, 9 command vehicles, 6 ammunition vehicles and 1 armament and electronics overhaul workshop.

The head of the defence ministry pointed out that such extensive modernisation as is currently taking place in the Polish Army requires the use of solutions from the domestic and foreign arms industry.

“Cooperation with the Republic of Korea is also beneficial for the Polish arms industry. I am convinced that in some years’ time a new version of the howitzer will be a joint Polish-Korean howitzer. Everything is on the right track for this process to be completed”, said Minister Błaszczak.

The KRAB cannon howitzer is the basic fire means of an artillery squadron, a subdivision designed to carry out fire support tasks at the brigade or division level. The KRAB can conduct effective fire from covered fire positions at a distance of up to 40 km or direct fire at the range of visibility of the target. The cannon howitzer has been adapted to fire modern long-range and special ammunition at ranges above 40 km.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński