Russia defense industry unveils new 2S43 Malva 152mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzer.

Russia defense industry unveils new 8x8 152mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer 2S43 dubbed Malva developed by the Burevestnik Central Research Institute, a division of Uralvagonzavod who is now part of ROSTEC, State Corporation for Assistance to Development, Production and Export of Advanced Technology Industrial Product.
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New Russian-made 2S43 Malva 152mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source en.topwar.ru)

The new 2S43 Malva is based on 8x8 military truck chassis BAZ-6010-027 manufactured by the Bryansk Automobile Plant. The vehicle has a crew cab at the front while the artillery weapon system is located at the rear. In the Russian army, the 2S43 could replace the 2A65 MSTA-B and the 2S1 Gvozdika 122 mm self-propelled howitzer based on tracked chassis.

According to Russian military sources, the 2S43 Malva is armed with the 152mm 2A64 cannon which is also used on the 2S19 MSTA-S. Our first analysis based on the pictures released on the Internet, shows that the 2S43 has a semi-automatic loading system. As for the French CAESAR, the rear part of the truck chassis is fitted with a large hydraulically operated spade that can be lowered on the ground to provide a more stable firing platform during firing operations.

The 2S43 Malva has a rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute thanks to the use of a new gun-loading mechanism. There is no public information about the tactical and technical characteristics of this new Russian artillery system due to the secret development of the project.