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Rare Russian 2S43 Malva Self-Propelled Howitzer Spotted in Kursk Preparing for New Offensive.
On November 12, 2024, rare footage shared on Ukrainian social media revealed the presence of Russia’s 2S43 Malva 152mm self-propelled howitzer operating in the Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border. This advanced artillery system, mounted on a BAZ-6610-02 "Voshchina" 8x8 wheeled chassis, underscores Russia's continued investment in modernized and mobile artillery to strengthen its operational capabilities in the Ukraine conflict.
Russian 2S43 Malva Self-Propelled Howitzer (Picture source: ROSTEC)
The 2S43 Malva is designed to neutralize a variety of military targets, including command centers, fortified positions, artillery and missile units, air defense installations, and enemy troops. A key feature, the “simultaneous fire raid” mode, enables the Malva to launch multiple shells at different speeds and trajectories, ensuring a concentrated impact on the target. With a firing rate exceeding seven rounds per minute and a range of more than 24 kilometers, the Malva is a valuable asset in the Russian artillery arsenal.
Bekkhan Ozdoyev, Industrial Director of Rostec’s Conventional Arms, Ammunition, and Special Chemicals Complex, highlighted the system’s maneuverability and advantages in rapid deployment, crucial features for counter-battery operations in Ukraine. In conflict zones where artillery duels are frequent, the Malva’s wheeled design offers logistical flexibility and requires less maintenance compared to tracked artillery systems. With a storage capacity of 30 shells and a high-strength steel armored cabin, the Malva provides significant protection for its crew from small arms fire and shrapnel, allowing it to endure hostile engagements.
Developed in 2021, the 2S43 Malva successfully completed its state trials in May 2023, leading to its integration into Russian armed forces that same year. The introduction of this system in Ukraine represents a strategic reinforcement of Russian ground capabilities, offering extended operational range, rapid mobility, and resilience essential for maneuver warfare. The Malva saw its combat debut in June 2024, where it played a role in targeting key Ukrainian infrastructure, such as bridges near Kharkiv, thereby disrupting Ukrainian supply routes.
The 2S43 Malva was developed by Russia with the aim of competing with wheeled self-propelled artillery systems such as the French CAESAR and the Ukrainian Bohdana. These systems, recognized for their mobility and effectiveness, influenced the design of the Malva, which seeks to deliver comparable performance in terms of range, firing rate, and rapid deployment.
The tactical versatility of the 2S43 Malva stems from its 152mm 2A64 rifled gun mounted on the BAZ-6010-027 chassis, allowing a firing range of up to 24.5 kilometers and storage for 30 shells. With an elevation range from -3° to +70° and an azimuth of ±30°, it can adapt to varied terrains and battlefield conditions. This wheeled system, inspired by elements of the Msta-S and Koalitsiya howitzers, also features rapid deployment and withdrawal capabilities that increase its survivability against counter-battery strikes. Its relatively compact dimensions enable the Malva to be transported by military aircraft, such as the Il-76, ensuring rapid long-distance deployments based on frontline needs.
The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in significant artillery losses for both sides, prompting Russia to accelerate the development of advanced self-propelled howitzers such as the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV. A successor to the 2S19 Msta, the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV is notable for its high firing rate, reaching up to 16 rounds per minute, and a maximum range of 40 kilometers, extendable to 80 kilometers with guided munitions. With only a three-person crew and an automated loading system, the Koalitsiya-SV improves efficiency while reducing manpower needs, responding to the dynamic and intense artillery roles in conflict areas in Ukraine.
The Malva continues to play a prominent role in Russian ground operations, focusing on counter-battery fire and long-range targeting of Ukrainian artillery positions and infrastructure. Its digital targeting systems enable high precision, thereby strengthening Russian control over contested areas while limiting Ukrainian countermeasures. Since its operational deployment in January 2024, the Malva has supported Russian ground forces by delivering accurate, sustained firepower from a safe distance, bolstering Russian artillery lines against Ukrainian resistance.
Russia’s use of the 2S43 Malva, alongside the advanced 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV, reflects an evolution in artillery tactics emphasizing mobility, precision, and rapid deployment to adapt to the high-intensity environment in Ukraine. These systems, combining firepower and flexibility, illustrate Russia’s strategy to maintain a decisive advantage in artillery capabilities on the battlefield. The continued integration of the Malva into Russian forces signifies an adaptation to the shifting demands of modern warfare, particularly in protracted conflicts marked by rapid changes in battlefield conditions and logistical needs.