2S19 Msta-S

152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer - Russia

The 2S19 Msta-S is a 152 mm self-propelled howitzer designed by the Soviet Union that entered into service with the Russian army service in 1989 as the successor to the 2S3 Akatsiya. The howitzer is designed to defeat unsheltered and covered manpower, weapons, and materiel to the division level. The 2S19 was accepted for service with the former Soviet Army in 1989. Initial production was undertaken by the Uraltransmash facility before being transferred to the Sterlitamak Machine Construction Factory in Bashkiriya. The first production systems were completed in 1989. This vehicle was developed under the codename MSTA-S in the 1980s at the Uraltransmash facility, as the replacement for the older 152 mm 2S3 and 152 mm 2S5 self-propelled artillery systems. In the Russian Army, the 2S19 is normally deployed in batteries of six guns. Each regiment would normally have three batteries to give a total strength of 18 2S19 systems. The 2S19 is also called MSTA-S, with the S standing for Samokhodnyj, or self-propelled.

2S19 Msta-S variants:

- 2S19M: with new computerized fire control
- 2S19M1: improved version with automatic laying system and Glonass.
- 2S19M2 or 2S33 "Msta-SM2": Improved version currently in production equipped with a new automatic fire control system which increases the rate of fire. Digital electronic maps are now available which significantly speeds up the terrain orientation in difficult geographical conditions and allows for performing faster and more efficiently firing missions. Russians say that its range is up to 80 km.