Upgraded Msta-SM self-propelled guns delivered to Russia’s Western Military District.

A Russian Western Military District artillery brigade has received upgraded Msta-SM self-propelled guns, the district’s press office said. "Up to 20 upgraded Msta-SM self-propelled guns have been delivered to a Western Military District artillery brigade stationed in the Moscow Region," the press office said.

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

Besides, Western Military District artillery units will receive advanced Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery systems.

The Msta-SM self-propelled artillery system destroys enemy artillery and mortar batteries, armored vehicles, air and ballistic missile defense systems, anti-tank systems and manpower. It is fitted with the 152mm 2A65 gun with a rate of fire of more than 10 rounds per minute, which exceeds the fire rate of other artillery systems. This was achieved owing to the upgraded design of the loading mechanism.

Target selection and gun laying can be executed both from the battery command post using a special automated control system and from the gun itself. The latter fires both guided projectiles and ordinary high-explosive ones.

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.