Ukraine to receive 200 Bohdana howitzers on Mercedes-Benz chassis in €750M deal
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Ukraine and Germany have signed an agreement to produce 200 Bohdana self-propelled artillery systems mounted on Mercedes-Benz Zetros chassis, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Wednesday.

The total value of the deal is €750 million.

The 2S22 Bohdana is a Ukrainian wheeled self-propelled howitzer and the first domestically developed system designed for the NATO-standard 155 mm caliber. Its firing range reaches 40–42 km with high-explosive fragmentation shells and 45–60 km when using extended-range, rocket-assisted projectiles.

Development of the Bohdana began in 2016, with the first prototype publicly displayed during Ukraine’s Independence Day parade in 2018. Although research and development was initially expected to be completed in 2020, the project stalled earlier due to procurement challenges, including shortages of compatible ammunition. Testing resumed in May 2021, with preliminary firing trials completed only in January 2022.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Bohdana saw its first combat use during the battle for Zmiinyi (Snake) Island. In 2023, the system was officially adopted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The agreement forms part of a broader package of defense contracts worth more than €1.2 billion.

In addition to strengthening Ukraine’s artillery capabilities, the package includes the supply of spare parts for Patriot air defense systems, the purchase of Ukrainian-made UAVs worth €200 million, and the joint production of the Linza drone under the Build with Ukraine initiative, in cooperation with Ukrainian company Frontline Robotics and German firm Quantum Systems.

Contracts were also signed to ensure the uninterrupted supply of advanced tactical-level electronic warfare equipment.

  • In late November, the Bundestag approved a new German budget significantly increasing defense spending to €83 billion. An additional €25.5 billion will be allocated from the Bundeswehr’s off-budget special modernization fund. Funding for military assistance to Ukraine will also rise by €3 billion, reaching €11.5 billion in 2026.