Ukraine has partnered with Germany to produce Bohdana self-propelled artillery systems using Mercedes-Benz Zetros tactical transport trucks.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the project will cost 750 million euros ($879.9 million) and targets production of up to 200 of the weapon systems.
Assembly of the howitzers and associated integrations will be conducted in Ukraine, while the vehicles will be sourced from the German government’s military aid for the war-torn country.
Shmyhal announced the cooperation as part of a series of agreements with Berlin valued at more than 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion).
In addition to the Bohdana initiative, these collaborations include the long-term supply of spare parts for Ukraine’s existing Patriot mobile interceptor systems.
It also launches the joint production of Ukraine’s Linza electronic warfare resistant drones in conjunction with London-based Frontline Robotics and Quantum Systems in Bavaria, and the procurement of reconnaissance drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces worth 200 million euros ($234.8 million).
The countries also signed a deal for the exchange of electronic warfare solutions between their respective militaries “at the tactical level.”
The Bohdana is a 155-millimeter NATO-standard cannon designed to be mounted on a wheeled vehicle. It is already used by the Ukrainian military and is typically integrated with armed forces’ KrAZ-6322 six-wheeled military trucks.
The artillery is operated by a five-man crew, weighs 28 metric tons (61,729 kilograms), fires five rounds per minute, and has a maximum range of 60 kilometers (37 miles).
Meanwhile, the Zetros truck is built for off-road driving and transport aboard the C-130 Hercules aircraft.
It is offered in 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 configurations in standard, semi-trailer, or dump truck versions, and comes in both manual and automatic transmissions.
The vehicle is equipped with a Euro V engine with an output of 510 horsepower, has a payload capacity of up to 25 tons (55,116 pounds), and a top speed of 55 miles (89 kilometers) per hour.
Weltpremiere der Neuen Generation des Mercedes-Benz Zetros. Der neue Zetros präsentiert sich jetzt komplett runderneuert. World premiere of the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz Zetros. The new Zetros is now completely retreaded.
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