Polish Artillery Munitions in Ukraine

Given the fact that Poland has been manufacturing the 152.4 mm munitions for its own needs, it was primarily used to meet own requirements, regarding the DANA wz. 77 howitzers. The Polish Army still operates more than 100 examples. These munitions have been supplied to Ukraine for quite some time so far. The OF-540 HE shell depicted below does not come from the Army stockpile, it was manufactured in 2022. That means that deliveries of munitions as such were also sourced at the manufacturing plant in an ongoing manner, and possibly also lasted during the next year. This proves that Poland actively supports Ukraine by delivering artillery shells, both 155, as well as 152 mm ones. The latter calibre is manufactured at a smaller scale, but yet, it is still needed.

So far Ukraine received at least 12 wz. 77 Dana howitzers from the Czech Republic, along with 30 Dana-M2 systems (upgraded) procured in 2020. Another 26 examples were probably delivered as military aid.

Dana Wz. 77 is a Czechoslovak artillery system based on the Tatra T-815 8x8 truck, manufactured by ZŤS Dubnica nad Váhom, and developed by Konštrukta Trenčín. 152 mm howitzer with a 36-calibre-long barrel constitutes the primary armament. Depending on the munitions, the system can engage targets at a distance from 18 to 28 kilometres. The system offers a rate of fire of 4 rounds per minute, with 36 rounds available onboard. 12.7 mm DShKM machine gun is used for self-defence. The vehicle is powered by a 345HP Tatra T2-930-34 engine, allowing the vehicle weighing 29 tonnes to attain a top speed of 80 kph. Currently, these artillery systems are operated by Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Libya, and Georgia.