Video and imagery shows Ukrainian artillery crews completing their training on the AS90 155mm self-propelled gun.

This programme is part of the UK’s sustained commitment to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

Training on the AS90 takes place at a specialised facility under the supervision of the Royal School of Artillery and is led by officers and soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Artillery.

Following the invasion in February 2022, the UK pledged its support to Ukraine and became the second-largest military donor, committing £2.3 billion in 2022.

The UK is the first country to donate Western main battle tanks, providing a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks with armoured recovery and repair vehicles, as well as a battery of eight AS90 guns at “high readiness” and an additional two batteries at “varying states of readiness.”

The AS90 is a modern, agile, and highly accurate artillery system that offers armoured protection to its crew while enabling them to engage targets at long distances. Ukrainian volunteer recruits receive tailored training in all aspects of operating and maintaining the AS90 system.

The backgrounds of the Ukrainian artillery soldiers reportedly vary, with some having extensive artillery experience and others having little or no military experience.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Paul.P
Paul.P (@guest_713404)
1 year ago

So, how much of this training would be transferrable to the AHSKrab?

Jacko
Jacko (@guest_713419)
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul.P

Pretty much the same turret with a larger calibre gun so should be fairly similar I would have thought 🤔

ChrisLondon
ChrisLondon (@guest_713490)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

Sorry to nitpick but same calibre but longer, 52 v 39

Dern
Dern (@guest_713525)
1 year ago
Reply to  ChrisLondon

Actually: Calibre can also be used when talking about gun length (although it’s usually used like that by the navy more than land forces).
So the gun on a AS90 can be listed as 155/39calibre and Krab can be listed as 155/52calibre.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dern
ChrisLondon
ChrisLondon (@guest_713528)
1 year ago
Reply to  Dern

I had never seen that usage. Thank you.

Quentin D63
Quentin D63 (@guest_713830)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

Maybe the Poles can offer to re-barrel these AS90s with the longer? The extra range would bevery useful.

Quentin D63
Quentin D63 (@guest_713831)
1 year ago
Reply to  Quentin D63

*longer barrel.

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker (@guest_713563)
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul.P

At a pinch the skills may be transferable from the Krab.
Snappy decisions to put a unit together with both types and undertake pincer movements. With some sideways movement to claw back the battle.
🙈👍🏻

Ian M.
Ian M. (@guest_713580)
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Groan……….😂

Marked
Marked (@guest_713407)
1 year ago

AS90 modern?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli (@guest_713458)
1 year ago
Reply to  Marked

It is so good according to MoD press releases yet HMG and the army have reduced the British Army’s holdings from 6 regiments worth to 2 since the mid 2000s, laying bare the stupidity of cuts to the assets and programs of the RA.

Marked
Marked (@guest_713469)
1 year ago

Maybe it’s so good they only need a handful…

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker (@guest_713474)
1 year ago
Reply to  Marked

Oh please hide that comment before someone at the MOD sees it 😂😂😂

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins (@guest_713562)
1 year ago
Reply to  Marked

Many thanks on behalf of HM Treasury, Rishi 😂

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker (@guest_713476)
1 year ago
Reply to  Marked

Is it the most modern system out there? No.
Is it good enough for getting shells down range against Russia? Probably.
The MOD and army sometimes seem to think if they don’t have the best thing then what they have is useless. When the poop hits the fan we all find out most items have there uses.
Look at the maxim guns that Ukraine pulled out of a shed somewhere. They still shoot bullets and can defend an area.

JohninMK
JohninMK (@guest_713492)
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

There is a video out there from today with at least 8 AS90 on transporters in a convoy through Poland.

Jacko
Jacko (@guest_713536)
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK
Posse Comitatus
Posse Comitatus (@guest_713541)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

They would be the tanks with no airmiles on them so far….

JohninMK
JohninMK (@guest_713657)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

Unknown. Those appear to be out from the big refurb plant in the FE heading west. They could be going to Russia forces, most likely, or even one of their export customers. If to Ukraine, most comments seem to put them as being used as 2nd echelon SPG where for most targets the effect of 100mm vs 122mm HE probably wouldn’t be that different. Its unlikely they would face a tank and would be more effective than say a BMP. My, uninformed of course compared to some of you here, choice is hull down as a hard points in the… Read more »

Jacko
Jacko (@guest_713667)
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Well I seem to remember you saying similar about the T62s! Look how that turned out😂 BTR 50s and now T54/55 what’s next? Mmm T 34 is about all there is!

Matt Cunliffe
Matt Cunliffe (@guest_713741)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

T-28 ?

JohninMK
JohninMK (@guest_713807)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

So, how do you think the T-62s turned out? I don’t see many dead ones.

Jacko
Jacko (@guest_713861)
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Really?they must be the saving of the Orc army then a wonder weapon after all🙄

Last edited 1 year ago by Jacko
Mr Bell
Mr Bell (@guest_714530)
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

I’m sure T62, Type 55s/ 54s are going to be excellent in the hull down position Vs Ukranian C2s and Leopards. If in any doubt just ask the Iraqi republican guards how hull down positioning went for them in their more modern T72s.

Airborne
Airborne (@guest_713992)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

I remember those posts by him…..hang on I will dig them out and cut and paste for us all to laugh at!

Airborne
Airborne (@guest_713991)
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Export customers? FFS ask India how its imports of military equipment from Nazi Russia is going! Its now not happening, due to Nazi losses and the Indians are not happy. Stop with your ever increasing desperate chuff. And be careful, saying the 55s will be used as defensive Hull down static rape points, that’s an admission your spring offensive has gone nowhere and your controller won’t be happy and will grass you up to the FSB Gestapo lads.

Jacko
Jacko (@guest_713860)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

Well I’m sure you don’t comrade.How about pictures of T90/80/72 not many pictures of them either is there🙄

Mr Bell
Mr Bell (@guest_714529)
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

They are going to become the latest pyrotechnic flying turret display team in Ukraine.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell (@guest_714528)
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

I’ve seen it. Has Putin told you to relay the fact he is threatening nuclear Armageddon on the world because a handful of UK owned tanks and SPG are heading to Ukranian ownership?
Could you politely remind him that the UK has 4 trident armed ballistic missile armed submarines standing ready in response. Cheers matey. Hope you aren’t too cold in the Kremlin basement, do get your handler to pop out to get you a McTasty from the ex McDonald just around the corner from Red Square.

Sean
Sean (@guest_713510)
1 year ago
Reply to  Marked

“Modern?”
It’s cutting edge 24th Century technology compared to what the Russians use 😆

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins (@guest_713408)
1 year ago

I wonder if these will be ready in time. I assume they are pre-programmed prior to firing guiding the shells to their target?

Perfect for testing on the battlefield.

Delivery of advanced microchip prototype set for April

LINK

Mr Bell
Mr Bell (@guest_713412)
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Those new chips are being mass produced in US for US military assets first. BAE is apparently lead integrator and has been tasked with replacing legacy chip sets with these new super efficiency high-grade chip sets.
It will take a few years before there is trickle down to rest of NATO.
I’d imagine the US DoD is keen on not letting any of these chip sets get out to peer competitors like the Russians or Chinese.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins (@guest_713450)
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

I’m surprised we haven’t done something along the same lines.

Mikefullstack
Mikefullstack (@guest_713473)
1 year ago

“UK is the first country to donate Western main battle tanks”

As I remember, Poland was the first. They decided to unilaterally donate Leopard 2s and then UK went ‘oh that’s ballsy, we will help too then’ and then others warmed up to the idea of doing the same… Well that’s what all the media said at the time it happened.

Are you now saying it was UK that led the way and built the tank coalition? 🙂 Because if so, then this is quite a huge piece of info.

Sean
Sean (@guest_713512)
1 year ago
Reply to  Mikefullstack

No the U.K. was first to announce it would donate western MBTs, however training on these is ongoing.
Poland was possibly first to actually deliver western tanks, four Leopard 2s back in February, but presumably training is also still ongoing for these too.

However Poland did donate soviet era tanks last year, and has since donated its improved PT-91 version of the T72. In total they’ve donated hundreds of tanks now.

OldSchool
OldSchool (@guest_713527)
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

Oh. But France is thinking about giving Leclerc’s…..that’s that’s got to be a candidate for Joke of the Year imho.

And as they’ll still be thinking about it next year a candidate for JotY 2024 too 😂.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell (@guest_714532)
1 year ago
Reply to  OldSchool

The Leclerc is an excellent thoroughly modern MBT. 1 forward gear, 3 reverse including a super fast retreat mode. In addition once combat heats up the commander has the option of deploying the automatic white surrender flag, which pops out of a dispenser on the turret roof alongside the APS.

Graham Moore
Graham Moore (@guest_713559)
1 year ago
Reply to  Mikefullstack

UK was first western nation to decide and declare supply of western tanks to Ukraine – that is awell-known fact. Poland may have beaten the Uk by a few weeeks in getting tanks into Ukraine. The US comes a distant last place in this.

Mikefullstack
Mikefullstack (@guest_713720)
1 year ago
Reply to  Graham Moore

Strange I was convinced Poland was first, although now that I’m thinking about it France is definitely first if you consider the AMX they sent, a tank… Anyway I will try to find the sources which shaped my understanding on this when I get home later and get back to you guys

Mikefullstack
Mikefullstack (@guest_713822)
1 year ago
Reply to  Mikefullstack

Okay I looked it up again…

I’m sorry but as far as I can tell Polish announcement came on the 11th of Jan and Rishi made his a couple of days later. The french said they will send the AMX on the 9th, if you call that a tank…

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/ukraine-gets-its-tanks-poland-sending-leopard-2-and-other-nations-may-follow/

So it still seems to me that the French of the Poles were 1st, technically…. Not that it matters an awful lot.

Graham Moore
Graham Moore (@guest_714013)
1 year ago
Reply to  Mikefullstack

Thanks mate. The Poles said they would send Leo2s on 11Jan on a tweet, but they had not had end user agreement from Germany to do so. Sunak phoned Zelensky on Sat 14 Jan about the CR2 supply (reported on Sun 15th).
Pretty close.
The AMX is a recce vehicle which many say doubles as a Tank Destroyer but some do not like to use that term – it has a 1055mm tank cannon.

Donaldson
Donaldson (@guest_713493)
1 year ago

The AS90 is a modern, agile, and highly accurate artillery system”

😭😭

The Artist Formerly Known As Los Pollos Chicken
The Artist Formerly Known As Los Pollos Chicken (@guest_713558)
1 year ago

Good luck to the crews is all I can say cos they are gonna need lots of it being totally out ranged by the Russian gear. Extremely charitable of HM gov to give Ukraine some inferior equipment show them how to use it and send them off to certain death 👍🏻👏🏻 . Here’s what the Kyiv Independent published on March 5th ( that’s right a UKRANIAN publication) had to say ……. “During their brief visits to the nearby town of Kostiantynivka, Ukrainian infantrymen told the Kyiv Independent of unprepared, poorly-trained battalions being thrown into the front line meat grinder to… Read more »

Chris
Chris (@guest_714066)
1 year ago

Is the AHS Krab a good replacement British Army SPG?

Youtube article has them hitting targets with Excalibur at 50km.

Compliment to the Archer system!