ALERT: Russia Deploys New A-222M Bereg Coastal Artillery to Pacific Fleet Amid Rising Tensions in Asia-Pacific.

On May 7, 2025, Russian state media confirmed the delivery of the upgraded A-222M "Bereg" coastal artillery system to the Russian Pacific Fleet. This deployment represents a significant step in modernizing Russia’s maritime defense capabilities in the Far East, aligning with Moscow's ongoing strategy to fortify its presence along strategic coastal corridors and contested maritime zones.
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Visual comparison of the original A-222 Bereg (130mm) coastal artillery system and the newly modernized A-222M variant, featuring a 152mm cannon, extended 50 km range, and precision-guided Krasnopol munition integration. (Picture source: Russian Media)

The A-222M "Bereg" is an advanced version of the Soviet-era A-222 Bereg, a 130 mm self-propelled coastal artillery gun developed in the 1980s. Originally conceived as a rapid-reaction artillery system to target fast-approaching naval threats, the Bereg system was designed to provide mobile, high-rate-of-fire support to protect Russia’s extensive coastlines, particularly in narrow straits and critical coastal chokepoints.

The legacy A-222 Bereg system, built on the MAZ-543 8x8 chassis, featured a 130 mm automatic gun and a computerized fire control system, capable of engaging targets up to 22 kilometers away. It was equipped with radar and electro-optical targeting to provide autonomous detection, tracking, and engagement of maritime threats. The entire battery typically consisted of one command vehicle, six gun vehicles, and support units, working together to create an integrated mobile defense umbrella against surface ships and landing craft.

The newly unveiled A-222M "Bereg" marks a formidable upgrade. While it retains the core philosophy of mobility and coastal firepower, it replaces the legacy 130 mm gun with a 152 mm cannon, mounted on the modernized MAZ-543M chassis. This change extends its maximum effective range to 50 kilometers—more than doubling the original capability. Additionally, the inclusion of the Krasnopol guided artillery projectile further enhances the precision and lethality of the system. The Krasnopol shell, guided by laser designators or UAVs, is known for its ability to strike both static and mobile targets with pinpoint accuracy. Though typically employed for ground targets, its use in the coastal defense context opens new operational possibilities, blurring the lines between artillery and precision-guided missiles.

The adoption of the Krasnopol guided artillery shell within the A-222M "Bereg" system significantly enhances its tactical versatility. Unlike standard unguided shells that follow fixed ballistic trajectories, the Krasnopol is a precision-guided munition (PGM) equipped with an inertial navigation system and a semi-active laser seeker. This allows it to adjust its course during flight and home in on laser-illuminated targets. The result is a weapon that offers high first-round hit probability, reducing ammunition expenditure and logistical burdens, particularly important for remote deployments along Russia's Pacific coast.

Moreover, the Krasnopol enables engagement of fast-moving or small maritime targets, such as patrol craft traveling at speeds up to 100 knots. Its precision strike capability drastically minimizes collateral damage—an increasingly critical feature in hybrid conflict environments or near civilian infrastructure. This makes the A-222M especially well-suited for operations in the narrow straits, archipelagos, and littoral zones that characterize much of Russia’s eastern maritime boundary.

The A-222M’s rapid deployment time—reaching firing readiness in as little as 5 minutes—and its high rate of fire make it an ideal countermeasure against surprise amphibious landings or naval incursions. The command and control vehicle integrated into the system uses advanced radar and electro-optical systems to track and designate targets, ensuring effective coordination among firing units and enhancing situational awareness.

This latest delivery to the Pacific Fleet carries significant strategic weight. The Russian Pacific Fleet, headquartered in Vladivostok, is tasked with defending Russia’s eastern maritime frontier. Its responsibilities include securing vital sea lines of communication, protecting economic interests such as fisheries and offshore energy infrastructure, and ensuring military readiness in regions close to U.S. and allied forces stationed in the Pacific. With tensions rising over control of the Northern Sea Route and increasing military activity near Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, the modernization of coastal artillery assets plays a crucial role in Russia’s broader military posture.

In addition to traditional defense duties, the Pacific Fleet serves as a platform for power projection in the Asia-Pacific region, often participating in joint exercises with China and other strategic partners. The integration of systems like the A-222M further augments the fleet’s ability to support combined arms operations along Russia’s eastern seaboard and disputed maritime zones.

Ultimately, the induction of the A-222M "Bereg" into active service illustrates Russia’s commitment to enhancing its asymmetric maritime warfare capabilities. As coastal regions grow increasingly contested globally, mobile, high-precision artillery systems like the A-222M offer a cost-effective and formidable line of defense against both conventional naval threats and hybrid warfare tactics.