2S9 Nona
| 2S9 Nona | |
|---|---|
 2S9 Nona-S 120 mm self-propelled mortar, 2016. | |
| Type | air-droppable self-propelled mortar |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1981–present |
| Used by | see Operators |
| Wars | Soviet-Afghan War Russo-Georgian War Syrian Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | TSNIITOCHMASH |
| Designed | 1974–1980 |
| Manufacturer | Motovilikha Plants |
| Produced | 1979–1989 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.7 tonnes |
| Length | 6.02 m |
| Barrel length | approx. 1.8 m or 2.88 m[1][2] |
| Width | 2.63 m |
| Height | 2.3 m |
| Crew | 4 |
| Caliber | 120 mm |
| Elevation | -4 to +80 degrees |
| Traverse | 70 degrees |
| Rate of fire | 10 rpm, max; 4 rpm, sustained |
| Effective firing range | 8.8 km (conventional); 12.8 km (extended) |
| Armor | 15 mm max |
Main armament | 120 mm 2A60 mortar |
Secondary armament | PKMT machine gun |
| Engine | 5D20 Diesel 240 hp |
| Power/weight | 27.1 hp/tonne |
| Payload capacity | 40-60 rounds |
| Suspension | torsion |
| Ground clearance | 450 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 400 liters |
Operational range | 500 km |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (road); 9 km/h (water) |
The 2S9 NONA (Russian: Новейшее Орудие Наземной Артилерии, lit. 'Newest Ordnance of Ground Artillery') is a self-propelled and air-droppable 120 mm mortar designed in the Soviet Union, which entered service in 1981. The 2S9 chassis is designated the S-120 and based on the aluminium hull of the BTR-D airborne multi-purpose tracked armoured personnel carrier. More generally, the 120 mm mortar is referred to as the Nona, with the 2S9 also known as the Nona-S. Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1,000 2S9 were built.[3]
Description[edit]
The 2S9 Nona-S is an amphibious vehicle that can be propelled through the water by two rear water-jets. It is operated by a four-man crew comprising a commander, a driver/mechanic, a gunner, and a loader. The hull interior is separated into a command compartment, a fighting compartment and an engine compartment. A welded steel turret is located at the middle of the hull. The two-man turret has hatches for the gunner and loader respectively.
The 2S9 utilizes a 120mm 2A51 mortar with a 1.8-meter-long barrel. The weapon is actually a hybrid of a mortar and howitzer, being an unconventional design that lacks a direct NATO counterpart. It is a rifled, breech-loaded weapon capable of firing HE (high explosive), white phosphorus and smoke rounds, as well as laser-guided munitions like KM-8 Gran. It can engage in indirect and direct fire, as well as targeting armoured vehicles; its armour-piercing rounds can penetrate the equivalent of 600-650mm of steel plate at up to a kilometre.[4][1][5][6]
Operational history[edit]
They have been deployed by Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In July 2022, video on social media purported to show Ukrainian forces using M777 to destroy a towed 2B16 Nona-K in Hoptivka on the border to Russia.[7] In August 2022, Ukraine's armed forces claimed to use four captured Russian 2S9 against Russian forces.[8] In November 2022, a 2S23-SVK Nona was photographed in Ukrainian service. It was reportedly captured from Russian forces in March and took months to refit.[9]
Variants[edit]
Variants of the 120mm Nona mortar:
- 2S23 Nona-SVK – BTR-80-based chassis mounting a 2A60 mortar, a variant of the 2A50.[10]
- 2B16 Nona-K – A towed version. Fitted with a muzzle brake.[5]
- 2S31 Vena – Is a similar concept based on the BMP-3 chassis. Longer barrel for increased range.[11]
Current operators[edit]
.jpg)
Azerbaijan: 18 2S9[12]
Belarus: 18 2B23 Nona-M1[13]
Kyrgyzstan: 12 2S9[14]
Moldova: 9 2S9[15]
Russia: 446, (excluding 500 2S9 in store in an unknown condition) of them: 280 2S9 Nona-S, 42 2S23 Nona-SVK and 124 2B16 Nona-K[16]
Syria - Quantity unknown [17]
Turkmenistan: 17 2S9[18]
Ukraine: 2 2B16 and 40 2S9.[19] 2S9 and 2B16 versions have been used by both sides during Russo-Ukrainian War[20][21]
Uzbekistan: 54 2S9[22]
Venezuela - 18 Nona SVK, ordered 2009, delivered 2011–2012.[23] 13 in service as of 2016[update].[24]
External links[edit]
- "2S9 Anona (Anemone)- 120mm SPH/Mortar". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- Walkaround 2S9 Nona from Kremenchug
References[edit]
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857438352.
- ^ a b Marat Kenzhetaev (1998). "Self Propelled Artillery and Mortars". www.armscontrol.ru. MIPT Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ Arg. (n.d.). 2S9 Nona-S. Military. Retrieved November 13, 2022, from http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s9_nona_s.htm
- ^ Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0-7106-1542-6[page needed]
- ^ "The Russian BMD-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle - TankNutDave.com". Archived from the original on 9 October 2018.
- ^ a b 2B16 NONA-K, Army Guide, retrieved 16/02/2021
- ^ 2S9 Nona, Military Today, retrieved 16/02/2021
- ^ Manning, Joshua (12 July 2022). "WATCH: Ukraine destroy Russian Nona-K guns with M777 Howitzer". euroweeklynews.com. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine's Fighters Apply Trophy 2S9 Nona Self-Propelled Artillery Gun to Destroy russia's Armor (Video)". defence-ua.com. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Campbell, Joseph (4 November 2022). "Ukrainian troops fire on Russians with captured weapons near key city". reuters.com. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "2S23 Nona-SVK 120mm Self-Propelled Gun System". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "2S31 Vena 120mm Self-Propelled Gun". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 180.
- ^ The Military Balance, 2022, p.186
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 187.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 188.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, pp. 190–200.
- ^ "Syria Rearms". Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
- ^ The Military Balance, 2022, p.210
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, pp. 205–206.
- ^ Ferguson, Jonathan; Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (November 2014). Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014. Research Report 3. Armament Research Services. pp. 50, 70. ISBN 978-0-9924624-3-7. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 491.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 208.
- ^ "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 416.