- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine Quietly Adds One of the Most Powerful Artillery Guns Ever Built to Its Arsenal
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukraine has added one of the most powerful artillery systems ever fielded to its growing arsenal, with 203mm M110 self-propelled howitzers now in service with the 52nd Separate Artillery Brigade, the unit’s press service said on April 2.
The brigade confirmed that its arsenal now includes a mix of modern Ukrainian and Western-supplied systems, stating: “Our equipment includes the 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket systems, and the 203mm M110A.”
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
According to Ukrainian artillery crews, each system plays a distinct role on the battlefield. The domestically produced Bohdana is primarily used for precision strikes at long range, targeting Russian artillery, ammunition depots, and command posts.
Meanwhile, the RM-70 Vampire is designed for large-scale fire missions against troop concentrations and equipment.
The addition of the M110A significantly expands the brigade’s heavy firepower, offering the ability to deliver extremely large-caliber strikes against hardened or high-value targets.
The military did not specify how the M110 systems were transferred to Ukraine. However, the delivery is likely part of ongoing military assistance provided by Western partners since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Reports from Greece in October 2025 suggested that Athens was considering the sale of up to 60 M110A2 howitzers and approximately 150,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine via the Czech Republic. The package was estimated to be worth more than €199 million, with Greek officials indicating the transfer would not compromise the country’s own defense readiness.
The reported ammunition package included 50,000 high-explosive M106 shells, 40,000 rocket-assisted M650 rounds, 30,000 M404 improved conventional munitions, and 30,000 M509A1 dual-purpose cluster munitions.
Originally developed for the US Army during the Cold War, the M110A2 remains one of the largest and most powerful conventional artillery systems ever deployed. Despite being gradually phased out by NATO countries in favor of 155mm-standard systems, many units were placed in long-term storage rather than scrapped.
Even today, the system retains significant battlefield relevance. The M110A2 fires 90-kilogram projectiles and can strike targets at distances of up to 30 kilometers when using rocket-assisted ammunition.
Mounted on a tracked chassis powered by a 405-horsepower engine, the system combines heavy firepower with battlefield mobility, allowing it to reposition after firing—an essential capability in modern counterbattery warfare.
The 52nd Separate Artillery Brigade itself was formed on August 1, 2025, based on the 55th Artillery Brigade. Its units are currently operating in eastern Ukraine, where they provide fire support, conduct counterbattery missions, and strike enemy logistics.
Earlier, Ukraine deployed a towed version of its domestically produced 155mm artillery system, the Bohdana-BG, with the platform operating in frontline units for at least a year.
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
