KYIV, — April 5, 2026 : Ukrainian defense firm Antabos has developed and tested a new automated artillery fire control system, designated KRIP-A, designed to digitally integrate reconnaissance, command, and firepower into a unified operational network. The system has been deployed on Ukraine’s domestically produced 155 mm 2S22 “Bohdana” self-propelled howitzer as well as the RM-70 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), marking a significant step in the country’s artillery modernization program.
The system was presented during a recent live demonstration attended by military correspondents from Ukrainian outlets, including Militarnyi and Ukrainska Pravda. Antabos representatives used the event to outline the system’s architecture and operational performance under battlefield conditions.
Integrated Digital Fire Control Architecture
KRIP-A functions as a network-centric fire control system that connects battlefield reconnaissance assets, command elements, and artillery units through real-time data exchange. It enables automated execution of fire missions by receiving target data from multiple sensors, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and processing it through onboard software.
The system calculates firing parameters automatically and transmits them directly to the artillery platform’s control panel. From there, targeting is conducted via the gun commander’s terminal in automatic mode. This process reduces reliance on manual input and minimizes the risk of human error during targeting procedures.
According to Antabos, the system significantly reduces engagement timelines by shortening the interval between target detection and firing. It also enables continuous fire correction based on live battlefield data streams.
Accuracy and Ammunition Efficiency
Developers report measurable improvements in firing efficiency and accuracy. Field data indicates that the number of shells required to zero a target has been reduced by a factor of five compared to conventional methods. Additionally, total ammunition consumption required to successfully engage targets has been reduced to approximately 30 percent of previous manual benchmarks.
These gains are attributed to the system’s integration of geoinformation technologies, inertial navigation systems with anti-jamming capabilities, and automated targeting supported by triple-redundant guidance mechanisms. The system is designed to maintain functionality in contested electronic warfare environments.
KRIP-A’s integration with UAVs and forward reconnaissance systems enables rapid target acquisition, precise fire adjustment, and improved first-shot hit probability. The system supports secure communications and coordinated fire control operations under complex battlefield conditions.
Platform Integration and Operational Mobility
The incorporation of KRIP-A into the 2S22 Bohdana has elevated the system’s automation level to that of modern Western artillery platforms, including the French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer. The system supports rapid deployment, automated gun alignment, and quick withdrawal, which are critical for survivability against counter-battery threats.
The RM-70 MLRS has also been equipped with the KRIP-A system, extending automated fire control capabilities beyond tube artillery to rocket artillery systems.
Ukraine’s defense industry is currently maintaining a production rate of approximately 35 to 40 Bohdana systems per month, aligning with ongoing efforts to scale domestic artillery output while integrating advanced digital systems.
NATO Compatibility and System Interoperability
The KRIP-A system has been developed in accordance with C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) principles. Antabos confirmed that the system is compatible with NATO-standard artillery command and control frameworks.
It can interface with systems used by allied countries, including the United States’ AFADS, Germany’s ADLER, France’s ATLAS, the United Kingdom’s BATES, Norway’s ODIN, Italy’s SIR, and Poland’s TOPAZ.
The architecture is adaptable for integration with both legacy Soviet-era artillery systems and modern Western platforms, enabling broader interoperability across mixed equipment inventories.
Development Background and Future Plans
Initial reports regarding the development of an automated control system for the Bohdana platform emerged in late 2025, when the deputy chief of staff of the Missile Forces and Artillery Command of the Ukrainian Ground Forces disclosed ongoing work on automation and testing.
The deployment of KRIP-A represents the transition of these efforts from development and testing into operational use.
Antabos has indicated that future iterations of the system will expand automation capabilities further, including potential integration with ground-based robotic platforms. The objective of these developments is to reduce the number of personnel required for artillery operations while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Operational Context
Antabos representatives noted that despite the increasing prominence of unmanned systems on the battlefield, artillery remains a central component of modern warfare. They stated that challenges commonly associated with artillery systems—such as cost, complexity, accuracy, range, and logistics—are influenced by technological and organizational factors rather than inherent limitations of the weapon systems themselves.
The introduction of the KRIP-A system reflects Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to enhance artillery effectiveness through domestic technological development, while aligning with NATO operational standards and improving battlefield integration across multiple platforms.
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