Ukraine’s Bohdana Self-Propelled Howitzer on New Chassis Receives International Patent

The Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant has secured an international patent for its 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, according to armored vehicle analyst BTVT.

The system is patented both as a standalone artillery module — suitable for integration on various chassis — and as a complete system.

The application was filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which enables patent protection in multiple countries through a single procedure.

Patent documents show the Bohdana mounted on a new chassis in a full combat configuration.

The patent may indicate plans to organize foreign production. The Ukrainian manufacturer continues to test the artillery module on different platforms.

In May, Ukraine’s 44th Separate Artillery Brigade received an upgraded version of the Bohdana, marking at least the fifth known modification. Variants differ by chassis type and armored cab design.

The patent also features a semi-automatic loading system, though Ukrainian forces note it is not used in combat due to a design limitation that prevents simultaneous loading and aiming.

Serial production of the Bohdana began in early 2023. The unit cost ranges from €2.3 million to €2.8 million depending on the chassis and armored cab configuration.

To ensure production resilience amid wartime conditions, manufacturing is distributed across multiple sites in Ukraine, with duplication measures in place so that no single component is produced in only one location.