Russia: 2S35 Koalitsia-SV self-propelled gun to complete trials in 2020.

2S35 Koalitsia-SV (Coalition) self-propelled artillery gun is scheduled to complete acceptance trials in 2020, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said. "We contracted 12 Koalitsia-SV and they will be test operated in the troops up to 2020. We shall complete acceptance trials that year and will decide on serial procurement," he said during a visit to Uraltransmash enterprise of Uralvagonzavod.

2S35 Koalitsiya-SV (Picture source: Army Recognition)

It was previously reported that acceptance trials of the guns were to be completed in 2019. Borisov said Msta self-propelled guns are being upgraded at a rate of nearly 36 pieces a year. The work will continue as the self-propelled artillery gun has a major modernization potential," he said. The upgrade will increase combat capabilities 40 percent. Communication systems and the chassis will be improved.

2S35 Koalitsia-SV self-propelled artillery gun will replace 2S19 Msta-S. It is to fire new 152mm separately-loaded shells. Remotely-controlled combat module with a 12.7mm machinegun will be mounted on the turret and Tucha 902B smoke grenade launchers on its sides.

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV is a new generation of Russian-made self-propelled tracked howitzer based on the 2S19 chassis fitted with a new turret. Some few months ago Russia unveiled a twin-barreled self-propelled howitzer under the name of 2S35, but the project was cancelled. In March 2015, a first picture was released on Internet showing the new 2S35 during rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade on May 9, 2015.

In March 2015, Russian website has announced the first delivery of first batch of 12 2S35 152mm self-propelled howitzer. According to Russian military engineers, the new 2S35 can used high-explosive long-range precision-guided munitions with a maximum range of 70 km and high level of accuracy.

2S35 supplied in May 2015 was mounted on T-72/90 undercarriage although in future the Armata platform is to be used. All actions of the crew are displayed on the screens of the single control unit. Pneumatic loading mechanism increases the fire rate of 2S35. Koalitsia-SV can automatically select the necessary type of shells and fire it.