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4,180 pieces of artillery and multiple launch rocket systems in service with Russian armed forces TASS 10804161

Armies in the world - Russian Armed Forces

4,180 pieces of artillery and multiple launch rocket systems in service with Russian armed forces.

More than 4,180 pieces of artillery and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) are in service with the Russian armed forces, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies` (IISS) report. Self-propelled guns (SPG) are the core of the Army`s artillery firepower. The Land Forces have approximately 1,500 SPG, including 150 122 mm 2S1 Gvozdika ('Carnation'), 800 152 mm 2S3 Akatsiya, 100 2S5 Giatsint-S, 450 2S19/M1/M2 Msta-S (M1990 Farm) guns. Approximately 4,000 SPGs are in the Army`s stores, including 2,000 2S1, 1,000 2S3, 850 2S5, 150 2S19, 320 203mm 2S7 Pion (M-1975).

Russian 2S1 122mm tracked self-propelled howitzer

Hence, upgraded 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya and 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled guns still remain the backbone of Russian Land Forces` artillery units and detachments.

The Army has deployed two variants of 2S3, namely, 2S3M1 and 2S3M2 SPGs. They have been significantly upgraded over basic 2S3 Akatsiya SPG. The serial production of 2S3M1 was started in 1987. The SPG is armed with 152 mm L/28 2A33M gun as main weapon. 2A33M has an effective firing range of 17.4 km for basic high-explosive (HE) shell, 20.5 km - for rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP) and 20 km - for high-precision guided projectiles (for instance, 3OF39 Krasnopol added as a basic ammunition in 2S3M1`s ammunition load).

2S3M1 has an ammunition load of 46 rounds. It is equipped with R-173 and 1V116 radios, command data acquisition and display equipment and a SP-538 sight. The vehicle`s combat weight is 28 t and operational range - 500 km (300 mi). Nevertheless, the 2S3M1`s effective firing range is not sufficient on the modern battlefield, as well as its fire rate (about 3 rounds per minute). The main technical specifications of 2S3M2 variant of Akatsiya are close to 2S3M1 modification. 2S3M2 has received 1V514-1 Mekhanizator-M automated fire control system, which has increased the gun`s accuracy. The fire rate and effective firing range remain at the 2S3M1 level.

Russian 2S3M2 152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer

Russian Armed Forces are replacing the ageing 2S3M1/M2 by 152 mm 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled guns. At the moment, Russian Armed Forces have deployed two variants of Msta-S, namely, 2S19M1 (342 guns) and 2S19M2 (108 guns). 2S19M1 self-propelled gun is equipped with 152 mm L/47 2A64M gun, which has an effective fire range of 24.7 km for basic HE round, 29 km - for RAP, 25 km - for guided projectiles. Its fire rate (8 rounds per minute) has been significantly increased over 2S3M1/M2`s gun.

The latest Msta-S` variant, 2S19M2, was revealed in December 2014. It got advanced 152 mm L/47 2A64M gun. 2S19M2`s fire rate reaches 10 rounds per minute, meeting the requirements to modern self-propelled guns. Hence, both 2S19M and 2S19M2 do not fall short of their foreign analogues, namely, the US M109A6 Paladin, which has effective firing range of 22 km (for basic HE round) and fire rate of 4 rounds per minute. Nevertheless, it should be pointed out, that the firepower of German 155 mm L/52 Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) self-propelled gun exceeds the related speicifications of 2S19M1/M2.

Russian 2S19M2 152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer

Russian Land Forces have also retained 122 mm 2S1 Gvozdika guns. They come short of meeting the modern requirements as they lack firepower and effectiveness of HE round. Part of 2S1 SPGs has been upgraded to 2S34 (previously - 2S1M) Hosta variant. Hosta self-propelled gun received new 120 mm 2A80-1 semi-automatic mortar-howitzer (2S9 Nona and 2S31 Vena have received the same gun). It has an effective firiing range of only 14 km, but the increased fire rate (10-12 rounds per minute), high level of accuracy and advanced 120 mm mines allow Hosta to effectively and rapidly eliminate all types of targets on the modern battlefield. It should be noted, that 2A80-1 gun can fire both Soviet/Russian and STANAG (NATO standard) 120 mm mines. About 70 2S1 Gvozdikas have been upgraded to 2S34 Hosta variant.

Russian Army also has a small number of obsolete 2S5 Giatsint-S guns. A batch of ageing 2S7M Malka 203 mm SPGs has been refurbished and deployed at the Eastern Military District (EMD). Both types of guns will be brought out of service after the launch of the newest 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV (Coalition-SV) SPGs serial production.

As of February 2016, the Land Forces have deployed about 850 MLRS, including about 550 122mm 9K51 BM-21 Grad and its modifications, 200 220mm 9P40 Uragan, 100 300 mm 9A52 Smerch systems. About 150 BM-21 Grads have been upgraded to 9K51M Tornado-G MLRS, which has an effective firing range of 40 km and can fire three types of unguided rockets and one type of guided missile. The combat effectiveness of Tornado-G has been increased by 15 times over basic BM-21.

Russian BM-21 Tornado-G 122mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System)

9P140 Uragan has an effective firing range of 38 km. It fires rockets with HE, thermobaric, cluster or incendiary warheads.

9A52 is one of the most effecive MLRS system in the world. In basic configuration it has 12 launching tubes. Seven types of rockets are available. The maximum effective firing range of Smerch reaches 90 km. It is one of the most long-range MLRS in the world. Only Chinese WS-1B has longer fire range (reportedly 180 km). There is no official confirmation of the aforementioned speicification of the Chinese MLRS, while Smerch has proven itself to be an extremely effective and accurate multiple launch rocket system.

Russian Armed Forces are in the process of bringing in service of new MLRS designated as 9K512 Uragan-1M. It is equipped with launching canisters, suitable for rockets of two calibers (220 mm and 300 mm, respectively). It is supposed to be supplied to Russian Armed Forces in 2016-2017. Uragan-1M will reportedly have an effective firing range of 120 km.

The Land Forces also have a small number of towed guns, including 150 2A65 152 mm Msta-B howitzers.-

Russian BM-27 Uragan 220mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System)