Poland orders 96 Krab self-propelled howitzers

24 December, 2024 Krab self-propelled gun. Poland, December 2024. Photo: Polish Ministry of Defense

The Ministry of Defense of Poland has signed contracts to supply 96 Krab self-propelled howitzers and 250 armored vehicles to support South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzers. The press service of the Polish Defense Ministry reported on this. The relevant agreements worth about PLN17 billion (more than £4.2 billion) were signed on Monday, December 23, in the city of Stalowa Wola.

Huta Stalowa Wola S.A., a member of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), will fulfill the order. The Ministry of Defense of Poland noted that along with 96 Krab 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, command and staff vehicles, armored vehicles for ammunition transportation, and repair shops will be supplied.

Poland has ordered new Krab self-propelled howitzers. December 2024.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Poland

The order also includes training and logistics packages. Other details of the deal and the terms of its implementation were not disclosed. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that the signing of this agreement is an investment in security as well as in the Polish economy.

In addition, he also announced an increase in defense spending for the next year. According to DziennikZbrojny.pl, deliveries of Krab self-propelled howitzers are scheduled for 2027-2029, and the contract's total value is approximately PLN 9 billion. Half of the ordered self-propelled artillery vehicles will be in an upgraded version.

Among other things, they will have an automated magazine for shells and powder charges, an automatic charging device, and other additional equipment. The Krab will also be equipped with a remotely controlled module with a 12.7 mm machine gun and a system that will allow 360? surveillance around the installation.

Krab self-propelled howitzers of the Polish company Huta Stalowa Wola. Photo:Huta Stalowa Wola

The publication notes that today the Polish military probably has only about 26 Krab self-propelled howitzers.

Such a small number is explained by the fact that Poland has transferred several dozen of these artillery systems to Ukraine as part of military assistance.

Current orders, including the most recent contract, cover the delivery of 186 units in 2025-2029, bringing the total number of Krab howitzers in the Polish army to approximately 212.