New 2S33 MSTA-SM2 152mm howitzer for Russian army.

The new artillery formation of the combined arms army of the Western Military District of Russian army deployed in Moscow region received over ten 152mm self-propelled artillery guns 2S33 MSTA-SM2, the press service of the district said.

Russian 2S33 MSTA-SM2 152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer in live demonstration at Defense Exhibition in Nizhny Tagil, Russia (Picture source Army Recognition)

"The formation is armed with the latest weapons and hardware. Since the beginning of the new training year the servicemen of the 2nd squadron have been mastering modernized 152mm Msta-SM2 guns, antitank Shturm-S missiles and 220mm Uragan salvo fire systems.

The deep modernization of armaments of the artillery formation enhanced its combat capabilities in defensive and offensive operations and also opened new possibilities for motorized rifles to engage artillery in a reconnaissance-strike force at joint tactical exercises and drills," Commander of the combined arms army of the district Major-General Alexander Peryazev said.
The artillery formation will receive close to a dozen antitank Shturm-S missile complexes by the end of the year.

The 2S33 MSTA-SM is an improved version of the 2S19 MSTA-S 152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer armed with a new 2A79 152mm cannon which has a greater range of fire. The 2S33 artillery howitzer has a now range of more than 40 km, compared to the 2S19 which has a maximum firing range of 25 km.

The 2S3 MSTA-SM was unveiled for the first time in September 2013 during the defense exhibition in Nizhny Tagil.