2S7 Pion
| 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 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war Russo-Ukraine War |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1975–1990 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Whole vehicle: 46,500 kg Cannon: 14,600 kg |
| 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 | 103kg[1] or 110kg[2] |
| Caliber | 203mm[1] |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Carriage | 12m[2] |
| Elevation | 0-60deg[1] |
| Traverse | 30deg[1] |
| Muzzle velocity | 960m/s[1] |
| Effective firing range | 37.5km (unassisted) |
| Maximum firing range | 47.5km (assisted) |
| Armor | 10mm max. |
Main armament | 203 mm 2A44 gun L/56.2 |
| Engine | V-46-I V12 turbocharged diesel[3] 840 hp[3] |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | Road: 650 km (400 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
The 2S7 Pion ("peony") or Malka is a Soviet self-propelled 203mm 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 in the dissolution of the Soviet Union after 1991.
Description[edit]
The 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.[citation needed] The vehicle is self-entrenching and has an overpressure CBRN defense system.[5] It was reported that the 12-metre (39 ft) long gun weighs 14.6 tons and has a service life of 450 rounds.[2]
There are multiple 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.[6]
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 750 horsepower (or 840[3]). It is also fitted with an auxiliary power unit, developing 24 hp and powering all systems when the main engine is shut down.[7]
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.[7]
It takes the crew about six minutes to set up and five minutes to dismantle. It carries four 203 mm projectiles for immediate use. It is capable of firing nuclear ammunition.[8] The gun has a range of 37,500 metres (23.3 mi), but this can be extended to 55,500 metres (34.5 mi) by using a rocket-assisted projectile.[7] 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 concussive force – the Pion is equipped with an audible firing alarm that emits a series of short warning tones for approximately five seconds prior to the charge being fired.[6]
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), six of which were captured by Russian forces[citation needed]
- 2S7s were brought back into service by the Ukrainian army during the war in Donbas in late 2014,[9] 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.[10]
- 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.[11] 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.[12]
- The 2S7 has been pictured moving towards the border with Ukraine during the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.[13]
- It was used by Ukrainian Forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine as early as 25 February 2022.[14]
- It was used by Russian Forces during the Russo-Ukrainian War, as reported in Newsweek on 27 May 2022.[15]
Variants[edit]
The original version is known as the 2S7 Pion.
An updated version called the 2S7M Malka entered service in either 1983 or 1986.[16] 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.[17][18][16]
The BTM-4 Tundra trench digger shares the 2S7 Pion chassis.[7]
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[19]
Azerbaijan – at least 12, acquired from Russia in 2008–2009[20]
Belarus – 36 in reserve[21]
Georgia[7][22]
Russia – 60 2S7M in active service, 260 2S7 in reserve as of 2022.[23] Modernisation with new running gear and electronics completed as of December 2021.[24][25][26][27][28]
Ukraine – 99, brought from reserve and restored to active service due to the war in Donbas[9] and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.[29]
Former operators[edit]
Czechoslovakia – 12 vehicles operated by 17th Large Caliber Artillery Division in Žamberk, 1984–1994.[30] One machine is kept in Military museum Lešany.
Poland: 8 vehicles in 1989, all retired in 2006 , one kept at Lubuskie Military Museum, Drzonów .
Slovakia – In 1993 Slovak Armed Forces have received 3 vehicles after disbanding of Czechoslovak Army, with one vehicle being part of the Military History Museum Piešťany permanent indoor exhibition and one vehicle being kept in inventory of Military technical and testing institute Zahorie.[31]
Soviet Union – passed on to successor states
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Soviet 2s7 Pion SPG (1975)". www.tanks-encyclopedia.com. 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. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ a b Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0-7106-1542-6
- ^ "2S7 203-mm Self-Propelled Gun". FAS Military Analysis Network. 16 October 1999.
- ^ a b "Russia Army Receives Upgraded 2S7M Malka Self-propelled Heavy Howitzer". Military Leak. 13 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "2S7 Pion". Military Today. Archived from the original on 9 July 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
- ^ "203mm shells for 2A44 howitzer". WEAPONSYSTEMS.NET. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ 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. 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. 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. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ Volodymyr (1 March 2023). "Pravda.com.ua Interview: Ukrainian colonel Oleh Shevchuk • WarTranslated". WarTranslated. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Russians Show Off Artillery's Firepower Over Ukraine in Video". Newsweek. 27 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Russian army receives first modernized 203mm 2S7M Malka self-propelled howitzers". Army Recognition. 7 December 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Belarus Army Equipment". Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ "Georgian Army: Georgian Land Ground Forces Military Equipment Armoured Vehicles - Pictures". Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2020). The Military Balance 2022. Routledge. p. 194. ISBN 978-0367466398.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Russian Army gets one of world's most powerful self-propelled guns after upgrade".
- ^ "Russian MoD receives first modernised Malka gun". Janes.com. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- ^ "Defense contractor completes upgrade of Malka heavy howitzers for Russian troops".
- ^ Volodymyr (1 March 2023). "Pravda.com.ua Interview: Ukrainian colonel Oleh Shevchuk • WarTranslated". WarTranslated. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "History of 131th Artillery Division" (in Czech). Archived from the original on 22 March 2013.
- ^ "203 MM SAMOHYBNÝ KANÓN 2S7 PION" (in Slovak).
External links[edit]
- The Global Security 2S7 Pion webpage has more details than can be presented here.