AHS Krab Howitzer
WesternArmatohaubica samobiezna Krab (AHS Krab)
The AHS Krab is a Polish 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled tracked howitzer that combines a British AS-90 Braveheart turret with a South Korean K9 chassis. Poland donated its own Krab systems to Ukraine in 2022 and signed a major contract to deliver dozens more. It was one of the first NATO-standard self-propelled guns supplied to Ukraine and proved popular with crews for its mobility and fire-control system.
Primary Role
Self-propelled fire support, counter-battery, deep fires
First documented use in Ukraine: 2022-05
Specifications
| Caliber | 155 mm / 52 caliber |
| Range (standard) | ~30 km |
| Range (base-bleed/V-LAP) | Up to ~40 km |
| Rate of fire | ~6 rpm |
| Weight | ~52,000 kg |
| Crew | 5 |
| Country | Poland |
✓ Strengths
- •Fully armored, traversing turret protects the crew
- •NATO-standard 155mm — compatible with Western shells
- •Automated fire control enables rapid first-round fire
- •Proven K9 chassis with good cross-country mobility
⚠ Limitations
- •Shorter base range than 52-cal systems firing specialized rounds
- •Heavy tracked vehicle — maintenance-intensive
- •Limited initial inventory dependent on Polish production
Notable Use
Poland transferred its first batch of Krab howitzers in spring 2022, then signed a contract worth roughly $700 million to supply more than 50 additional units — one of the largest single artillery export deals of the war. Ukrainian crews praised its automated fire control and protected, fully traversing turret.
Ukraine War Context
Ukraine received an initial donation of Krab systems followed by contracted deliveries, fielding several dozen in total. They serve alongside CAESAR and PzH 2000 in the NATO-standard 155mm artillery force, easing ammunition logistics. Losses to Russian counter-battery fire and Lancet drones have occurred near the front.