The 2S7 Pion ("peony") or 2S7M Malka is a Soviet self-propelled 203 mm cannon. "2S7" is its GRAU designation. More than 250 units were built; some sources say 500,[1] others up to 1,000.[4] They were distributed around the former Soviet states during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
| 2S7 Pion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1976–present |
| Wars | Soviet–Afghan War First Chechen War Second Chechen War Russo-Georgian War Second Nagorno-Karabakh War Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1975–1990 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Whole vehicle: 46,500 kg (102,500 lb) Cannon: 14,600 kg (32,200 lb) |
| Length | 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 3.38 m (11 ft 1 in) |
| Height | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) |
| Crew | 14 |
| Shell weight | 103 kg (227 lb)[1] or 110 kg (240 lb)[2] |
| Caliber | 203 mm[1] |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Carriage | 12 m (39 ft)[2] |
| Elevation | 0-60 deg[1] |
| Traverse | 30 deg[1] |
| Muzzle velocity | 960 m/s (3,100 ft/s)[1] |
| Effective firing range | 37.5 km (23.3 mi) (unassisted) |
| Maximum firing range | 47.5 km (29.5 mi) (assisted) |
| Armor | 10 mm (0.39 in) |
Main armament | 203 mm 2A44 gun L/56.2 |
| Engine | V-46-I V12 turbocharged diesel[3] 630 kW (840 hp)[3] |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | Road: 650 km (400 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
Description
editThe 2S7 Pion was identified for the first time in 1975 in the Soviet Army and was called M-1975 by NATO (the 2S4 Tyulpan also received the M-1975 designation), whereas its official designation is SO-203 (2S7). It used a new-design chassis, partly based on T-72 and T-80 design,[1] carrying an externally mounted 2A44 203 mm gun on the hull rear.[5] The vehicle is self-entrenching and has an overpressure CBRN defense system.[6] It was reported that the 12 m (39 ft) gun weighs 14.6 t (14.4 long tons; 16.1 short tons) and has a service life of 450 rounds.[2]
There are several manufacturers: the chassis was made at the Kirov Factory, St. Petersburg, Russia, while the gun and mount were made at the Titan-Barrikady plant in Volgograd, Russia.[3]
The Malka modernization process in the late 2010s involved substituting several of the Ukrainian-produced components, such as the gearbox and engine, with new components manufactured in Russia at the Uraltransmash plant in Yekaterinburg.[7]
The 2S7 uses a tracked chassis that was designed specifically for this artillery system. It uses a number of automotive components from the T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks. It is powered by a V-46-I turbocharged liquid-cooled V12 diesel engine,[1] developing 560 kW (750 hp) (or 630 kW (840 hp)[3]). It is also fitted with an auxiliary power unit, developing 18 kW (24 hp) and powering all systems when the main engine is shut down.[8]
The 2S7 carries a crew of fourteen and eight rounds of ammunition; seven crewmembers and four rounds are carried by the Pion, with the remaining crew and rounds in an auxiliary vehicle.[8]
It takes the crew about six minutes to set up and five minutes to dismantle. The vehicle carries four 203 mm projectiles for immediate use. The gun is capable of firing nuclear ammunition.[9] The gun has a range of 37.5 km (23.3 mi), but this can be extended to 47.5 km (29.5 mi) by using a rocket-assisted projectile.[8] One interesting feature of the Pion is the firing alarm. Because the blast of the weapon firing is so powerful, it can physically incapacitate an unprepared soldier or crew member near it from the concussive force, the Pion is therefore equipped with an audible firing alarm that emits a series of short warning tones for approximately five seconds prior to the round being fired.[7]
Operational and combat history
edit- The 2S7 was first used in combat by the Soviet Union in Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989)[citation needed]
- Russian forces used it in the First and Second Chechen Wars (First war: 1994–1996, Second war: 1999–2009)[citation needed]
- The Georgian Army used 2S7s in the Russo-Georgian War in 2008 (7–16 August 2008), five were visually confirmed as lost during the war: four destroyed and one captured by the Russian forces.[10]
- 2S7s were brought back into service by the Ukrainian army during the war in Donbas in late 2014,[11] and were used in combat just outside the 'buffer' zone stipulated by the Minsk Protocol, as they had long enough range to still provide artillery support.[12]
- The Russian armed forces are reinforcing their artillery forces, reactivating 2S7M Malka 203 mm self-propelled howitzers and 2S4 Tyulpan 240 mm self-propelled mortars.[13] The upgraded 2S7M SPH is linked to the modernised 1V12M command vehicle, which uses a GLONASS navigation unit.[citation needed]
- Video released by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence showed their 2S7s in use during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.[14]
- The 2S7 has been pictured moving towards the border with Ukraine during the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.[15]
- It was used by Ukrainian Forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine as early as 25 February 2022. In June 2023, Ukraine started using American supplied M106 high-explosive 203 mm (8 inch) shells used by the M110 howitzer.[16]
- It was used by Russian Forces during the Russo-Ukrainian War, as reported in Newsweek on 27 May 2022.[17] Satellite imagery shows that Russian forces deployed 2S7 south of Donetsk city in September 2022.[18]
Variants
editThe original version is known as the 2S7 Pion.
An updated version called the 2S7M Malka entered service in either 1983 or 1986.[19] The 2S7M Malka uses an improved fire control system that increased the rate of fire from 1.5 to 2.5 rounds per minute, and increased the ammunition load to eight projectiles.[20][21][19]
The BTM-4 Tundra trench digger shares the 2S7 Pion chassis.[8]
Operators
edit
Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1,000 have been built.[4] The Soviet Army had 347 in active service as of 1990.[1]
Angola – 12, acquired in 2000 from the Czech Republic[22]
Azerbaijan – at least 12, acquired from Russia in 2008–2009[23]
Georgia − 1 as of 2023[24]
Russia – 60 2S7M in active service, 260 2S7 in reserve as of 2022.[25] Modernisation with new running gear and electronics completed as of December 2021[26][27][28][29][30]
Ukraine – 99, brought from reserve and restored to active service due to the war in Donbas[11] and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine[31]
Former operators
edit
Belarus − 36 in 2010[32]
Czechoslovakia – 12 operated by 17th Large Caliber Artillery Division in Žamberk, 1984–1994.[33] One kept in Military museum Lešany
Poland[34] − 8 in 1989, all retired in 2006, one kept at Lubuskie Military Museum, Drzonów
Slovakia – Slovak Armed Forces 3 inherited from the Czechoslovak Army, from these one is kept at the Piešťany military museum exhibition and one is in inventory of Military technical and testing institute Záhorie[35]
Soviet Union[36] – passed on to successor states
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Soviet 2s7 Pion SPG (1975)". www.tanks-encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices: 1945-1995. Marine Corps Intelligence Activity. 1995.
- ^ a b c d "2S7 Pion (M1975) Russian 203mm Self-Propelled Gun (SPG)". army.mil. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ a b Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0-7106-1542-6
- ^ Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices: 1945-1995. Quantico, VA: Marine Corps Intelligence Activity. 1995. pp. V-14–V-15. Retrieved 16 March 2024.}
- ^ "2S7 203-mm Self-Propelled Gun". FAS Military Analysis Network. 16 October 1999. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Russia Army Receives Upgraded 2S7M Malka Self-propelled Heavy Howitzer". Military Leak. 13 December 2021. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d "2S7 Pion". Military Today. Archived from the original on 9 July 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
- ^ "203mm shells for 2A44 howitzer". WEAPONSYSTEMS.NET. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ "Russia's Wars: Listing Equipment Losses During The 2008 Russo-Georgian War". Oryx. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Украина возвращает на вооружение мощнейшие САУ Пион: видео". Liga. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
- ^ "2S7 Pion". War for Ukraine. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ "Upgunning Artillery". Russian Defense Policy. 29 April 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Ağdərə istiqamətində düşmənin artilleriya bölmələrinə zərbələr endirilib" [Enemy artillery units were hit in the direction of Aghdara] (Press release) (in Azerbaijani). Azərbaycan Respublikası Müdafiə Nazirliyi. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ^ "New footage shows Russia's 'atomic cannons' within 10 miles of Ukraine sparking nuclear war fears". London Business News. 12 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ "Ukrainian 2S7 Pion shoots with American 203mm rounds". Militarnyi. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Russians Show Off Artillery's Firepower Over Ukraine in Video". Newsweek. 27 May 2022. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ Goodhind, William (2023). "Russian 2S7 Self-Propelled Artillery, Occupied-Marianivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, 2 September 2022". Contested Ground (17): 1–2. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.26947.99361/1. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Russian army receives first modernized 203mm 2S7M Malka self-propelled howitzers". Army Recognition. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ "Russia: 2S7M Malka 203mm self-propelled guns destroy targets at 50km". Army Recognition. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Russian Military Forces - Aviation - Navy - Infantry firearms - Communications - Ground systems - Weapon photogallery". Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ "sipri.org". Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Today.Az - What weaponry did Azerbaijan buy from Russia last year?". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2023). The Military Balance 2023. Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated. pp. 177–178. ISBN 978-1-032-50895-5. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2020). The Military Balance 2022. Routledge. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8.
- ^ "Артиллеристы ЦВО в Сибири получили новейшие самоходные пушки "Малка"". Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- ^ "Russia completes 2S7M Malka 203mm self-propelled howitzer upgrade". 14 April 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ "Russian Army gets one of world's most powerful self-propelled guns after upgrade". Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Russian MoD receives first modernised Malka gun". Janes.com. 20 April 2020. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- ^ "Defense contractor completes upgrade of Malka heavy howitzers for Russian troops". Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Volodymyr (1 March 2023). "Pravda.com.ua Interview: Ukrainian colonel Oleh Shevchuk • WarTranslated". WarTranslated. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2010). The Military Balance 2010. Taylor & Francis Group. pp. 177–179. ISBN 978-1-85743-557-3. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "History of 131th Artillery Division" (in Czech). Archived from the original on 22 March 2013.
- ^ Foss, Christopher F. (2005). Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005-2006. Jane's Information Group. p. 1019. ISBN 978-0-7106-2686-8. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "203 MM SAMOHYBNÝ KANÓN 2S7 PION" (in Slovak). Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (1989). The military balance, 1989-1990. London: Brassey's. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-08-037569-4.
External links
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