Russian Land Forces to upgrade its 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled guns to 2S34 Hosta TASS 30804165

Defence & Security News - Russia
 
Russian Land Forces to upgrade its 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled guns to 2S34 Hosta
Russian Land Forces are upgrading 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika ('Carnation') self-propelled guns (SPG) to 2S34 Hosta variant (previous deisgnation - 2S1M), according to a Russian defense industry source.
     
     

"Russian Land Forces have retained in service approximately 100 basic 2S1 Gvozdika SPGs. They do not meet the modern requirements to self-propelled guns as 2S1`s high-explosive (HE) shell lacks combat efficiency. Modern 152 mm/155 mm rounds have a significant advantage over Soviet 122 mm HE rounds.

The upgrade of Gvozdika guns to 2S34 Hosta modification will significantly increase their firepower,", the source said.

He pointed out, that the tactical role of upgraded 2S1s would be drastically changed. "Basic 2S1 is a self-propelled gun intended to provide fire support at medium and long distances (up to 20 km).
     
     

The installation of semi-automatic 2A80/2A80-1 mortar-howitzer gun will turn Gvozdika into close fire support vehicle. 2A80-1 has maximum firing range of 14 km and a fire rate of 10-12 rounds per minute. Such gun allows to provide an effective fire support for advancing motor rifle troops on the modern battlefield. Hosta SPG can effectively suppress hostile artillery, engineer installations and soft-skin targets," the source said. He did not mention the number of the basic 2S1 Gvozdikas to be upgraded.

2S34/2S1M Hosta self-propelled gun was developed by the Motovilikha Plants company. The upgraded SPG was demonstrated for the first time in 2014. It retained the chassis and hull of 2S1 Gvozdika SPG. The main gun was replaced by 120 mm 2A80-1 mortar-howitzer, which can fire both Russian and Western munitions.
     
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