Russia to increase deployment in Ukraine of Tornado-S MLRS and 2S7M Malka howitzers
Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu announces an increase in the deployment in Ukraine of the latest generation of MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Station) Tornado-S which is able to fire guided rockets at a maximum firing range of 120 km and the 2S7 Malka, which is considered as the most powerful self-propelled artillery gun in the world. Both artillery systems will be used to conduct counter-battery warfare against the Ukrainian armed forces in Ukraine.
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The Russian-made 2S7M Malka is considered as the most powerful self-propelled howitzer in the world. (Picture source Russian MoD)
Due to the recent victories of the Ukrainian army and the use of modern artillery systems by the Ukrainian armed forces, including self-propelled howitzers donated by allied countries such as the German PzH 2000, the French CAESAR, and the Polish Krab as well as the delivery of M142 HIMARS rocket launcher vehicles by the United States, Russian army must use their latest artillery systems such as Tornado-S MLRSs and 2S7M Malka 203mm self-propelled howitzers to perform counter-battery methods which will be a key element to destroy Ukrainian artillery firepower.
The 2S7M also nicknamed Malka is an improved version of the Russian-made 2S7 Pion which is considered as the most powerful self-propelled howitzer in the world. The howitzer is based on a tracked chassis armed with a 2A44 203mm cannon.
The 2S7M Malka is designed to destroy enemy strategic targets in the tactical depth of defense. The gun has a rate of fire of up to 2.5 rounds per minute and a firing range of about 50 km. The howitzer is capable to fire standard ammunition as well as nuclear artillery munitions. The 203mm RD5-1 nuclear projectile has a capacity of 2,000 tons of TNT.
Russia's defense industry will have also developed high-precision guided projectiles for the Malka system. The new High-precision projectiles are based on various technologies to improve firing accuracy using radio-ballistic and satellite navigation systems.
To increase the accuracy of its artillery fire, the Russian army uses now Orlan-10 drones to conduct reconnaissance missions and transmit in real-time images and data about the targets.
The Tornado-S is the latest generation of Russian-made rocket launcher system able to fire guided rockets at a maximum firing range of 120 km. (Picture source Russian MoD)
The Tornado-S is the latest generation of 300mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) of the Russian, like the American M142 HIMARS, it can fire guided rockets but with a maximum firing range of 120 km while the HIMARS can fire rockets at a range of up to 70 km.
The American HIMARS is able to fire MGM-140 ATACMS (Army TACtical Missile System) with a range from 128 to 300 km, but this type of missile has not yet been delivered to Ukraine.
The Tornado-S can fire guided and unguided rockets including 9M544 and 9M549 guided rockets and 9M555K, 9M55K1, 9M55F, 9M55S, 9M55K6, 9M525, 9M528, 9M529, 9M531, and 9M533 unguided rockets.
The 9M544 is a guided rocket of 300mm caliber that uses the SN398 strap-down inertial navigation system, combined with the Glonass satellite navigation and positioning device. The rocket provides an increase in fire precision by a factor of two and inaccuracy by a factor of three as compared to unguided rockets. The rocket is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead able to defeat personnel, armored and soft targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts, and ammunition depots. The 9M549 guided rocket is equipped with HE-FRAG (High Explosive Fragmentation) submunitions.