HSW has announced that 14 Krab self-propelled howitzers for the 11th “Mazurski” Artillery Regiment stationed in Węgorzewo have been sent to their destination. As the delivered equipment has reached the unit already, we may say that this finalizes the process of providing the inventory for the first of the Squadron-level Fire Modules, otherwise known as Regina, with the Krab howitzer playing the primary role within their structure.
According to the HSW S.A. company representatives, the entity has finalized the deliveries of equipment for the initial “Regina” Squadron-level Fire Module, consisting of 24 155 mm Krab SPHs. Some of the aforesaid howitzers had been received by the military before that, and were being used for the purpose of training activities, including live fire training on the Orzysz training range. Moreover, the extra accompanying vehicles that belong to the “Regina” structure had been delivered earlier too.
According to the information provided to us by the Polish Ministry of Defence back in July, the first “Regina” module consists of the following elements:
- 155 mm “KRAB” self-propelled howitzers – 24 examples;
- Command and control vehicle for the commander – 1 example;
- Command and control vehicle for the chief of staff – 1 example;
- Command vehicle for the battery commanders – 3 examples;
- Command vehicle for the platoon commanders - 6 examples;
- Workshop – a vehicle for carrying out repairs of the armament and electronics – 1 example;
- Liaison officer’s vehicle – 1 example.
The last delivery, within the framework of supplying the equipment for the first module, has left for Węgorzewo on 29th July this year, at night. The convoy included 14 Krab SPHs, destined to be received by the General Józef Bem 11th “Mazurski” Artillery Regiment. This is going to be the first Polish Army unit using this hardware.
The “Regina” programme, based upon the “Krab” armoured, tracked-chassis, self propelled howitzer, assumes that five squadrons with 24 cannons in each unit would be acquired. Throughout the first stage of the programme, the Army would receive the first Division with 24 howitzers. Some of them, based upon the Korean K9 platform, have been received by the Army last year. The agreement concerning the procurement of another four squadron-sized units has been signed in December 2016. As a result, until the year 2024, the Polish Army is to receive, in total, 120 155 mm “Krab” self-propelled howitzers.
The ceremony during which the official handing off of the complete “Regina’ module is to take place has been planned to take place on Thursday, 31st August. It is going to be a part of a three-days long open days event at the 11th “Mazurski” Artillery Regiment (31st August - 2nd September), also involving the Polish MoD’s leadership.