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2S43 "Malva" 152-mm self-propelled howitzer

By 2020 the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" (part of the NPK "Uralvagonzavod") and a number of related organizations were engaged in development work with the code "Sketch". Its goal is to create a number of promising self-propelled artillery guns with different features, characteristics and capabilities. One of these samples is CAO 2S43 "Malva".

Malva belongs to the Malvov family and traditionally grows in Europe and Asia. More than a thousand species are distributed throughout the world. This plant can be found in gardens, meadows and hills around the world. These beautiful flowers captivate with their beauty. . Mallow is rich in antioxidant properties and tannins as well as essential oils. The plant dye is known for its antibacterial effect. As a medicinal plant, mallow was highly appreciated by the Chinese more than 5000 years ago. Its mucolytic and restorative properties have been used to treat infections of the throat, oral cavity, bronchitis, and have also been used to treat skin diseases.

The 2S43 "Malva" 152-mm self-propelled howitzer is a new wheeled 152mm design that seems to be a compromise between Msta-S and Koalitsiya, using the BAZ-6010-027 chassis. There isn't much known about 'Malva', but it wouldn't make any sense not to include the range improvements from Koalitsiya. Likely they chose in production parts (Msta-S) and excluded the improved autoloader and barrel-coolant system - a compromise on weight, expense and capability. This new Russian artillery system is based on the BAZ-6010 8×8 chassis.

For the first time, the Burevestnik Central Research Institute, part of Uralvagonzavod defense manufacturer within the state hi-tech corporation Rostec, released a photos of the newest Russian 152mm Malva wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The previously secret development was shown publicly for the first time in October 2019, but the 3D model differs markedly from the real prototype.

In general, in terms of its functions and tasks, the new self-propelled gun does not differ from the models already in service with the missile forces and artillery. The 2S43 ‘Malva’ is designated to destroy a potential enemy’s command posts, communications centers, artillery and mortar batteries, armor, including tanks, anti-tank weapons, air and ballistic missile defense systems and manpower. The Malva is armed with a 152mm gun with a rate of fire of over 8 rounds per minute, which is higher than the speed of other artillery systems. This rate of fire is ensured by the special design of the gun-loading mechanism. The howitzer’s weapon suite also includes a remotely-controlled station. The new artillery system lighter, more mobile and easier to be transported by aircraft, which expands the range of its missions and the promptness of their fulfillment.

The major differences lie in the architecture of this SAO. The combat vehicle is built on the basis of the four-axle all-wheel drive chassis BAZ-6010-027 and is equipped with an open artillery unit. This combination of units provides a special ratio of combat weight, mobility, mobility, firepower and cost of operation.

The base chassis is equipped with an armored cabin to accommodate the crew on the march. Smoke grenade launchers are installed on the roof of the cockpit. Probably, the CAO will also receive small arms for self-defense. The cargo platform is given for the placement of various units and stowages, and an artillery unit is installed in the stern.

A 152-mm howitzer with a maximum firing range of 24,500 meters was used as armament. Its rate of fire is high enough for systems of this type and reaches seven rounds per minute. The "Malva" uses the 152-mm rifled howitzer 2A64, borrowed from the ACS 2S19 "Msta-S". The gun has a 47-clb barrel with a three-chamber muzzle brake, an ejector and advanced recoil devices. It is mounted on a new machine with the possibility of horizontal guidance within 30 ° to the right and left of the axis and with vertical guidance from -3 ° to + 70 °. Apparently, automated drives controlled by the OMS are used. There is a folding coulter under the machine with two base plates. The transported ammunition load is 30 rounds. "Malva" has vertical guidance angles: -3 ... + 70 degrees and horizontal guidance +/- 30 degrees. The total weight is 32,000 kg. It is planned to install equipment for optical-electronic countermeasures to high-precision weapons at 2S43.

The 2S43 ammunition load includes 30 rounds of separate-case loading and is transported in boxes on the platform. The transfer of shells and casings to the breech is carried out manually by calculation forces. The rate of fire is declared at 7 rds / min. Perhaps some means of mechanization are used to increase it. The maximum firing range of a conventional projectile is 24.5 km. SAO "Malva" in the stowed position has a length of 13 m and a total weight of 32 tons. For comparison, the ACS 2S19 is 10 tons heavier. Provides high speed on the highway and the ability to move over rough terrain. Crew of the gun is 5 people.

Mobility of "Malve" will be provided by the all-terrain chassis of the Bryansk Automobile Plant BAZ-6010-027 with a wheel arrangement of 8x8. The open installation of the howitzer without additional armor or turret made the vehicle lighter. With an ammunition load of 30 rounds, its weight is 32 tons. This is a quarter lighter than the tracked "Msta-S" with the same gun.

The use of a vehicle with an 8x8 wheel arrangement of the Bryansk Automobile Plant in the new system makes it possible to create a system of unique cross-country ability and completely without foreign components. An all-terrain vehicle of the Bryansk automobile plant BAZ-6010-027 with an 8x8 wheel arrangement was chosen as the base chassis. This vehicle has a high cross-country ability and reliability. The vehicles of this enterprise are used for the installation of various equipment intended for the Russian army.

It has been suggested that this artillery system in the Russian army will eventually replace conventional towed guns of the 1960s and 70s, as well as that work on the Malva is being carried out within the framework of the Sketch R&D project (previously it included 3 complexes - 120 mm Phlox "On the Ural-VV chassis, 120-mm" Arctic "" Magnolia "on the chassis of a two-link DT-30MP tractor and an 82-mm mortar" Drok "on the KAMAZ chassis" Typhoon-VDV ").

“The transition to wheeled vehicles is a modern trend,” military historian Alexei Khlopotov told Izvestia. - Artillery gains increased mobility and increased resource. Tracked vehicles are much more expensive and have less resource. Many such systems have appeared in the armies of the world today. France, Sweden and other countries have their own wheeled howitzers. Our developers are now following the same path.

“The new wheeled howitzer will undoubtedly be interesting on the world arms market,” military expert Andrei Frolov explained to Izvestia. - Every year in the world, including the countries of Africa and Asia, dozens of such systems are bought. In the export portfolio of Russia, such a self-propelled gun is not enough. Now we are mass-producing only Msta-S on a tracked chassis. Not everyone is interested in it, and we have not yet had easier samples.

According to the expert, wheeled artillery systems can be used anywhere. Taking into account the fact that "Malva" is tested in different climatic conditions at different temperatures, there will be practically no restrictions on its operation.

The launch of the ROC "Sketch" and the development of a number of prospective SAOs became known in the late 2010s. Data on a number of new projects were disclosed fairly quickly - but not on Malva. By the time reports appeared, the Burevestnik Central Research Institute had completed the design and started assembling the prototype. So, back in August 2019, the institute received a chassis from the Bryansk Automobile Plant for mounting an artillery system. The main characteristics of the gun and chassis also became known.

In October 2020, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the commander-in-chief of the ground forces, General of the Army Oleg Salyukov, revealed the general plans for the Sketch development project. This work will be completed in 2022. At the same time, purchases of the first samples of promising technology are expected. It follows from this that all stages of the tests "Malva" should pass by 2022, but no more.

Izvestia published a new report about testing Malva on 11 January 2021. With reference to sources in the Ministry of Defense, it is argued that at the end of 2020, a test schedule for the promising CAO was prepared and approved. This document defined the list of activities for the end of 2020 and beyond. In accordance with the schedule, by the end of 2020, the development organization was supposed to conduct sea trials and test firing of a prototype. Apparently, these were factory tests. After these measures, it was required to finalize the design and correct the identified shortcomings. In the spring or summer of 2021, a new stage of testing started. The modified prototype would be handed over to the Ministry of Defense, which will conduct all the necessary checks. The timing of these tests remained unknown.

The self-propelled gun 2S43 "Malva" is considered as a means of expanding the combat capabilities for divisional artillery of the ground forces. First of all, it should complement the ACS 2S19 "Msta-S", with which it is unified in armament. The main innovation of the Malva project is the use of a wheeled chassis, which has obvious advantages over tracked chassis. Thus, with the same armament and combat capabilities, the 2S43 product is much lighter and more mobile than the 2S19 self-propelled gun, and also cheaper to operate. However, the "Msta-S" compares favorably with the "Malva" in better protection of the crew and a simpler process of deployment in position.

International experience shows that wheeled ACS / SAO are able to fully realize their advantages over other equipment. They are not considered as a substitute for traditional self-propelled guns, but are designed to complement them and solve some of the combat missions. Competent organization of combat work and combat use makes it possible to combine tracked and wheeled vehicles into a flexible system capable of quickly and effectively responding to all major challenges. At the same time, operational and economic benefits are achieved.

Currently, many armies of the world are already using similar self-propelled guns. For example, four-axle self-propelled guns developed and manufactured in Syria with a 130-mm M-46 cannon. Also at the 2019 parade in Beijing, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the 155-mm PLC-181 self-propelled gun was presented for the first time.

The self-propelled gun "Malva" has yet to confirm the calculated tactical, technical and operational characteristics, as well as compliance with the customer's requirements. Some of the tests should have been carried out last year, and the prototype will undergo new tests in the coming months. This means that the CAO 2S43 "Malva" is approaching a possible start of production and acceptance into service. Accordingly, in the near future, new reports on the progress of the project and the successes achieved should be expected.