UK - AS90 Ukrainian Training

The second cohort of Ukrainian recruits to be trained in the UK on AS90 self-propelled artillery guns are returning home, ready for the expected upcoming spring counteroffensive against Russia. The bespoke training, which has covered all aspects of operating and maintaining the AS90 155mm self-propelled gun system, has been under the control of the Royal School of Artillery and run by officers and soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.

 

UK - Archer 155 mm

The British Army has just struck a new artillery deal with Sweden, which will see it replace the AS90s gifted to Ukraine with new 'Archer' heavy artillery guns. 

Archer Artillery System

 The Army will own the first 14 Archer artillery systems this month, which will be fully operational by April 2024. Armed with an automatic loading 155mm howitzer, the system – currently being used by the Swedish army – can be deployed, fire and move off at speed, making it difficult for enemy forces to detect its location after it fires.

 

With a range of 50km, when loaded with Excalibur guided extended-range artillery projectiles, and the ability to fire three high-powered rounds within 40 seconds, the Archer can demonstrate its effectiveness with its superior mobility, deployment speed, firepower, and its three-person crew protection – although it can be operated by one person if required. During testing, footage showed the system could be ready to fire within 14 seconds, fire one round after 23 seconds, launch its second round at 32 seconds and fire its third round after 40 seconds.

UK - AS90 Ukraine

Ukraine: What can UK's self-propelled AS90 howitzers offer

US - Paladin M109A6 SP Howitzer

 Source: United States Defense Media

US Army M109A6 Paladin 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer

Source: M109 howitzer - Wikipedia

The M109 is an American 155 mm turreted self-propelled howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. It has been upgraded a number of times, most recently to the M109A7. 

The M109 has a crew of four: the section chief/commander, the driver, the gunner, and the ammunition handler/loader. The chief or gunner aims the cannon left or right (deflection) and up and down (quadrant).

With the cancellation of the U.S. Crusader and Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, the M109A6 ("Paladin") will remain the principal self-propelled howitzer for the U.S. for the foreseeable future until the new M1299 will enter service.

Specifications
Mass	27.5 tons
Length	30 ft (9.1 m)
Width	10 ft 4 in (3.15 m)
Height	10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
Crew	4 (Ammunition Handler/Loader, Gunner, Commander, Driver)
Shell	separate loading, bagged charge
Caliber	155 mm L/39 caliber[2]
Breech	interrupted screw
Traverse	360°
Rate of fire	Maximum: 4 rpm/3 min.[3] Sustained: 1 rpm[3]
Effective firing range	Conventional: 21 km (13 mi) RAP: 30 km (19 mi)
Main armament	M126 155 mm Howitzer
Secondary armament	.50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun
Engine	Detroit Diesel 8V71T 450 hp (335.56 kW)
Power/weight	18.7 hp/t
Suspension	torsion-bar
Operational range	216 mi (350 km)
Maximum speed	35 mph (56 km/h)

Russia - 2S19 MSTA-S 152mm SP Howitzer

 Source: Military Update

Military Update

The Most Fearsome Self-Propelled Howitzer (Msta-S - 152.4 Mm) in the World

The 152mm 2S19 MSTA-S self-propelled howitzer is designed to defeat unsheltered and covered manpower, weapons and materiel to division level. MSTA-S comprises a turret mounted on a tracked armoured 6×6 chassis, which has been based on elements of the T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks. It is manufactured by Uraltransmash of Ekaterinberg, Russia, which also produced a towed version, called MSTA-B, and has developed two new variants, 2S19M with a computerised fire control system and 2S19M1 with a Nato standard 155mm gun.

Czech Republic - DITA 155mm SP Howitzer

 Source: Matsimus

Matsimus

Excalibur Army 'DITA' 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

The DITA 155mm self-propelled gun howitzer is an artillery system being developed by Czech defence company Excalibur Army to meet modern-day artillery challenges. Derived from the Tatra 8×8 truck-mounted howitzer designs, the DITA howitzer features a fully automated superstructure, which will increase the rate of fire with only two crew members on board. The self-propelled howitzer entered the final stage of development with the completion of a functional prototype vehicle in January 2021. The prototype is set to undergo a series of tests to evaluate its performance. Excalibur Army partnered with EDGE Group, a UAE-based defence technology company, to exhibit its new howitzer at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2021 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi. The DITA artillery weapon system will have a length of 13.02m, a width of 3.08m, a height of 3.12m and will weigh up to 29t. The fully autonomous superstructure will allow the howitzer to be mounted on different types of wheeled or tracked chassis, while enabling operation by only a two-member crew comprising a driver and commander. The superstructure will offer an emergency operation workplace to accommodate an additional crew member based on user preference. The ballistic crew cabin will be equipped with high-performance heating and air-conditioning system and nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) filtration system. The cabin will offer STANAG 4569 Level I protection to the occupants. Equipped with automatic loading and firing mechanism, the gun can be operated in fully automatic, manual and emergency guiding modes. It can also support different firing modes such as single round, rapid-fire, programmed, as well as multiple round simultaneous impact (MRSI). The gun can rotate through -3°/70° elevation angle and traverse through ±60°. The artillery system can carry 40 rounds of ammunition in conveyors within the turret.

US - M109 Paladin 155mm SP Howitzer

M109 Paladin 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

 Source: Matsimus

Matsimus

Soldiers conduct fire missions inside the M109A6 Paladin during their military training. The live-fire exercise was designed to certify the battalion ensuring they can operate effectively within the brigade, and to enhance their readiness for real time firing missions.

Russia 2S35 compared with German PzH 2000

 

2S35 Koalitsiya-SV 152 mm VS PzH 2000 155 mm | Comparison

2S35 Koalitsiya-SV

2S35 Koalitsiya-SV is a latest 152mm self-propelled howitzer from JSC Central Research Institute Burevestnik (Petrel), a division of Uralvagonzavod based in Nizhny Novgorod

The primary weapon is a 152mm 2A88 cannon, equipped with a muzzle brake and a recoil system. Ammunition capacity of the self-propelled gun is 50 to 70 shells and the maximum firing range is approximately 70km. An au

tomatic loader with pneumatic rammer allows the cannon to fire up to eight rounds a minute. 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV 152mm Self-Propelled Howitzer is designed to defeat armoured vehicles, tanks, tactical nuclear weapons, anti-tank weapons, artillery and mortar batteries, enemy manpower and equipment, facilities, air defence missile systems, as well as command and control centres. Country of origin Russia Entered service 2015 Crew 3 men

Dimensions and weight Weight - 55 t Main gun 152 mm howitzer Barrel length - 52 calibers Machine guns 1 x 12.7 mm Projectile weight - 43 kg Maximum firing range 30 - 70 km Maximum rate of fire - 8 rpm

Traverse range 360 degrees Ammunition load Main gun 60 - 70 rounds Engine diesel Engine power - 1 000 hp Maximum road speed - 60 km/h Range - 500 km Maneuverability Gradient : 60 percent Side slope : 30 percent Vertical step - 0.8 m Trench - 2.8 m Fording - 1.2 m

PzH 2000

The Panzerhaubitze 2000 (armoured howitzer 2000), abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall for the German Army. The PzH 2000 is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems deployed in the 2010s. It is capable of a very high rate of fire; in burst mode it can fire three rounds in nine seconds, ten rounds in 56 seconds, and can—depending on barrel heating—fire between 10 and 13 rounds per minute continuously. The PzH 2000 has automatic support for up to 5 rounds of Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI). The replenishment of shells is automated. Two operators can load 60 shells and propelling charges in less than 12 minutes.

Rheinmetall designed the 155 mm 52-calibre JBMOU compliant rifled gun (60-rifles, right-hand spiral), which is chromium-lined for its entire 8 m length and includes a muzzle brake on the end. The gun uses a new modular charge system with six charges (five identical), which can be combined to provide the optimal total charge for the range to the target, as well as the conventional bagged charge systems. Primer is loaded separately via a conveyor belt, and the entire loading, laying and clearing is completely automated. The maximum range of the gun is 30–36 km with the standard DM121 Boattail round, about 40–47 km with base bleed rounds, and 67 km with M2005 V-LAP assisted projectiles. Specifications Mass : Combat: 55.8 t (61.5 short tons) Length : 11.7 m (38 ft 5 in) Width : 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) Height : 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) Crew : 5 (commander, driver, gunner, and two loaders)

Rate of fire : - 3 rounds in 9.0 seconds (Burst) - 10 rounds per minute Effective firing range DM121 Boattail: 30–36 km (19–22 mi) M1711 Basebleed: 40–47 km (25–29 mi) RAP: 67 km (42 mi) Armor : welded steel, 14.5 mm resistant additional bomblet protection

Main armament : Rheinmetall 155 mm L52 Artillery Gun 60 rounds Secondary armament : 7.62 mm Rheinmetall MG3 machine gun Engine : MTU 881 Ka-500 1,000 PS (986 hp, 736 kW) Power/weight : 17.92 PS/t Suspension : torsion bar Operational range : - 420 km (260 mi) Maximum speed : - Road: 67 km/h (41 mph) - Off-road: 45 km/h (28 mph)

South Korean - K9 Thunder Self Propelled 155 mm Howitzer

 K9 Thunder - South Korean Self Propelled 155 mm Howitzer

The K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha Defense.The turret servo electrohydraulic system is a derive from that of K1 MBT. Automatic fire control system enabled rapid aiming, faster shooting, and improvement to accuracy. Originally, Air-Log hydropneumatic suspension, which was being used for British AS-90, was chosen for test for license produce, but failed to absorb shock from much bigger 52 caliber gun.

Later, South Korea developed domestic hydropneumatic suspension and sold to Britain.K9 is an indigenous system of an all-welded steel armour construction which is rated to withstand 14.5 mm armour piercing rounds, 152 mm shell fragments, and anti-personnel mines.K9 Thunder give protection to the internal crew and onboard equipment against 155mm shell fragments, 14.5mm armor piercing shells and anti-personnel mines.In NBC warfare situations, survivability is guaranteed with the on-board air purification system and gas masks for the crew. The K9A1 is a variant of the K9 self-propelled howitzer but improved to operate automatic fire control units better at night. Additional improvements have been made to the driver night vision periscopes and auxiliary power units. The K9A1 self-propelled howitzer boasts a long shooting range, high velocity firing, and quick day/night displacement for firing support and direct engagement. It also has excellent maneuverability and ability to concentrate its firepower on select targets. The K9 Thunder is supplemented by a K10 automatic ammunition re-supply vehicle (ARV) built on the K9 platform. Each K10 supports two K9 guns and can carry 104 rounds of ammunition. Automatic fire control system Operating system improvements: Text-based DOS system to Graphical Windows system, digital map and electronic manual, and more.Interoperability and expandability: Interoperate with the electronic time data loader and enable extended range ammunition firingPositioning device Added Inertial Navigation System (INS) + GPS SystemPilot night periscope : Improved night-time periscope: using Uncooled thermal type method instead of Stray light amplification method Auxiliary power unit 8 kW or higher engineProduction Designer Agency for Defense DevelopmentSamsung Aerospace Industries Designed 1989–1998 Manufacturer : - Samsung Aerospace Industries (1999-2000) - Samsung Techwin (2000-2015) - Hanwha Techwin (2015-2017) - Hanwha Land Systems (2017-2019) - Hanwha Defense (current) - Larsen and Toubro (Current) Produced : - K9: 1999–2017 - K9A1: 2018–presentNo. built : 1,700Variants K10 ARVAHS KrabT-155 Firtina Specifications : - Mass : 47 tonnes - Length ; 12 m - Width ; 3.4 m - Height ; 2.73 m - Crew ; 5 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, 2 Loaders) Maximum firing range : - 18 km (M107, HE) - 30 km (M549A1, HE-RAP) - 36 km (K310, BB/DP-ICM) - 40 km (K307, BB/HE) - 52 km (K315, HE-RAP) - 100+ km (GGAM, in development) Main armament :- Hyundai WIA CN98 155 mm 52 caliber Secondary armament :- 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) K6 HMG Engine :MTU Friedrichshafen MT 881 Ka-500 8-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine 1000 hp - Power/weight : 21 hp/ton - Transmission : S&T Dynamics X1100-5A3 - Suspension : hydropneumatic Operational range : 480 km Maximum speed : 67 km/h

Russia - 9K37 Buk Air Defence Missile System

 Source: Military Update

The 9K37 Buk Air Defense Missile System shocked Israel in Syria

The Buk missile system (Russian: "Бук"; "beech" (tree), /bʊk/) is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Soviet Union and its successor state, the Russian Federation, and designed to counter cruise missiles, smart bombs, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Buk missile system is the successor to the NIIP/Vympel 2K12 Kub (NATO reporting name SA-6 "Gainful").

The first version of Buk adopted into service carried the GRAU designation 9K37 Buk and was identified in the west with the NATO reporting name "Gadfly" as well as the US Department of Defense designation SA-11.With the integration of a new missile the Buk-M1-2 and Buk-M2 systems also received a new NATO reporting name Grizzly and a new DoD designation SA-17. Since 2013, the latest incarnation "Buk-M3" is currently in production and active service.

A naval version of the system, designed by MNIIRE Altair (currently part of GSKB Almaz-Antey) for the Russian Navy, received the GRAU designation 3S90M and will be identified with the NATO reporting name Gollum and a DoD designation SA-N-7C, according to Jane's Missiles & Rockets. The naval system was scheduled for delivery in 2014

Russia - S7 PION Self Propelled 203mm Heavy Artillery

Source: the Military Lovers 

2S7 PION Self Propelled 203mm Heavy Artillery Massive Live Firing

2S7 PION Self-Propelled 203mm Heavy Artillery was identified for the first time in 1975 in the Soviet Army and so was called M-1975 by NATO (the 2S4 Tyulpan also received the M-1975 designation), whereas its official designation is SO-203 (2S7). Its design is based on a T-80 chassis carrying an externally mounted 2A44 203 mm gun on the hull rear.

The 2S7 main armament consists of 2A44 203mm cannon. The 203 mm barrel has an overall length of 56.2 calibers and weighs a total of 7,800 kg and has a barrel life of about 450 rounds. When travelling, the 203 mm cannon is held in position by a manually operated travel lock mounted on top of the cab. Gun elevation, traverse, loading and operation of the spade are all hydraulic with manual controls for emergency use. Mounted at the very rear of the tracked chassis is a large recoil spade which, when lowered to the ground, provides stability during firing. The gun operator is seated at the rear of the vehicle on the left side and for the engagement of targets has a standard PG-1M panoramic day telescope that is used in conjunction with the K-1 collimator. Ammunition is of the separate loading type, projectile and charge, with a maximum muzzle velocity of 960 m/s. Maximum range, using unassisted ammunition, is 37.5 km. The standard 203 mm HE round is designated the ZOF 43 and weighs 110 kg, with a total of four projectiles and charges being carried on the 2S7 for immediate use. The remainder of the ammunition load is carried by another vehicle, usually a truck. In addition, there is a rocket-assisted high-explosive projectile that weighs 103 kg and has a maximum range of 47,500 m.

It carries four 203 mm projectiles for immediate use. It is capable of firing nuclear ammunition. The gun has a range of 37,500 m, but this can be extended to 55,500 m by using RAPs (Rocket Assisted Projectiles). The Pion has been the most powerful conventional artillery piece since entering service in 1983. 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.

The 2S7 carries a crew of fourteen; seven are carried by the Pion and seven are with an auxiliary vehicle. The system carries four rounds of ammunition; four more rounds are carried by the support vehicle. Brief out-of-action time allows Pion to fire 1 or 2 rounds and leave firing position before the first round hits target located up to 47 km away. This shoot-and-scoot capability allows to avoid counter-battery fire. This makes the 2S7 less susceptible to counter-battery fire.

Variants :

It takes the crew of seven men 5–6 minutes to come into action and 3–5 minutes to come out of action. It carries four 203 mm projectiles for immediate use. It is capable of firing nuclear ammunition.

- 2S7 Pion

- 2S7M Malka – An improved variant, which entered service in 1983, that improved the gun's fire control systems, increased the rate of fire from 1.5 to 2.5 rounds per minute, and increased the ammunition load to eight projectiles

Production history :

Produced 1975–1990

Development :

-- 1967 - 1974 (2S7 Pion)

-- Mid 1980's (2S7M Malka)

Developer :

-- Soviet Union - Kirov factory & Barrikady arsenal

Crew : 7 (commander, driver, radio operator, gunner, loader)

Effective firing range : 37.5-55km

Main armament :

-- 203 mm 2A44 gun

Ammunition :

-- 4 shells on vehicle

Elevation :

-- 0 to +60 degrees elevation, powered

Traverse : -15 to +15 degrees traverse, powered

-- 1.5 rpm max

Rate of fire :

Operational range :

-- Road: 650 km (400 mi)

Maximum speed : 50 km/h (31 mph)

Specifications :

Mass : 46.5 tons

Length : 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)

Width : 3.38 m (11 ft 1 in)

Height : 3 m (9 ft 10 in)

Caliber : 203 mm

Barrels : 1

Armor : 10mm max.

Chassis :

-- Tracked chassis, 7 roadwheels

Drive sprocket front, idler rear

-- 0.80 kg/cm^2

Ground pressure : Engine :

Suspension : torsion bar

-- V-46-I V12 turbocharged diesel 840 hp

Czech Republic - EA 155 mm SPGH DITA

 Source: EXCALIBUR ARMY

The DITA self-propelled gun-howitzer vehicle is a new modern artillery weapon using a NATO 155 mm standard ammunition. It derives from the original Czechoslovak concept of Tatra truck-mounted howitzers, but it takes the autonomy of operation to the next level. DITA offers an unprecended rate of fire with only 2 members of the crew required – the driver and the commander. It features a modern Onboard Control System with high speed in taking up and leaving the firing position, great accuracy and excellent hard terrain crossability. 

The concept utilizes a fully autonomous superstructure so it is possible for the weapon to be mounted on a tracked chassis, too.

Russia - Artillery Capabilities

 

Source: Smoke Hours

 Russian Artillery Capabilities

Turkey - Panter 155mm towed howitzer / T-155 Fırtına 155mm SP

Source: Turkish Defence Forces

Panter 155mm Artillery

Panter is a 155mm towed artillery system developed by Turkey and introduced in 2003. 

It fires NATO standard 155mm ammunition to a maximum range of 18km, extending to 30km with rocket assisted projectiles, and 40km with base bleed. Panter can fire a burst rate of 3 rounds in 15 seconds, a maximum rate of fire of 6 rpm, and a sustained rate of 3 rpm.

The gun detachment is six men. The carriage carries an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) which can move the gun as a dedicated mover up to 20km depending upon the surface. 

T-155 Firtina

The Turkish T-155 Firtina is a 155mm self propelled howitzer based upon the South Korean K9 Thunderer. 

It fires NATO standard 155mm ammunition to a maximum range of 30km, extending to 40km with rocket assisted projectiles. The T-155 Firtina is capable of multiple-round simultaneous-impact firing, delivering 3 rounds in 15 seconds. It has a maximum rate of fire of 6 rpm, with a sustained rate of 2 rpm. 

The turret of the T-155 Firtina holds 48 rounds. It has a dedicated  Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (ARV), Poyraz  (based upon the South Korean K10 ARV.)  The Poyraz ARV can carry up to 96 155 mm shells and is able to transfer 48 shells in 20 minutes.

Bangladesh - Artillery Firepower 2021

 Source:  Everything Video

Bangladesh Army Artillery Power 2021

Self Propelled Artillery

NORA B52 155mm SP (origin Serbia)

Towed Artillery

Type 59 130mm (origin China)

L10A 105mm  (origin Italy)

AM-56 A1 105mm  (origin Serbia)

Type 96 122 mm  (origin China)

Type 83 122 mm  (origin China)

Type 54 122 mm  (origin China)

Rocket Artillery

T-300 Kaciga MLRS (origin Turrkey)

WS-22 A MLRS (origin China)

Mortars

Type 53 120mm mortar 

UMB-52 120mm mortar

Type 87 82mm mortar

Type 93 60mm mortar

South Korea - K9 155mm SP

 Source: US Military System

South Korea designed the K9 to operate on the rugged mountains of the demilitarized zone with North Korea, and accordingly gave it advanced hydropneumatics suspension to overcome the rocky terrain. Despite weighing more than the U.S.-built M109 Paladin, which has been in widespread use across the globe since the 1960s, the K9 is faster (at forty-one miles per hour), has a higher power-to-weight ratio thanks to its thousand-horsepower engine, and has a nearly 40 percent greater operational range of three hundred miles before requiring refuelling. While the gun isn’t stable enough to be fired on the move, it can be deployed for firing in just one minute.

Global - Self Propelled Truck Mounted Artillery

 

Source: The Buzz

Turkey -> YAVUZ MKE | 155mm/ 52 caliber | Range 30-40 km | Rate of Fire: 4-6 rpm

Czech Republic -> DANA M1 | 152mm/39 caliber | Range 20 km | Rate of Fire: 4 rpm

France -> CAESAR 6 X 6 | 155mm/52 caliber | Range 42 km | Rate of Fire: 4-6 rpm

Israel -> ATMOS  | 152mm/52 caliber | Range 30-56 km | Rate of Fire: 4-6 rpm

Serbia -> NORA B-52 | 152mm/52 caliber | Range 20-41 km | Rate of Fire: 6 rpm

France -> CAESAR 8 X 8 | 155mm/52 caliber | Range 42-55 km | Rate of Fire: 6 rpm

Slovakia -> ZUZANA  | 155mm/45 caliber | Range 40 km | Rate of Fire: 2-6 rpm

South Africa -> RHINO  | 155mm/45 caliber | Range 30-50 km | Rate of Fire: 4 rpm

Sweden -> ARCHER  | 155mm/52 caliber | Range 30-60 km | Rate of Fire: 8-9 rpm

United States -> BRUTUS | 155mm/36 caliber | Range 24.7-39 km | Rate of Fire: 5 rpm

Russia - Top 3 Artillery Systems - 2S35 | 2S7 | 2S5

 Top 3 Russian artillery systems

Source: Russia Beyond

Top 3 Russian artillery systems - Russia Beyond (rbth.com)

Artillery systems play one of the most important roles on the battlefield by safeguarding soldiers from enemy mortars, and by eliminating anti-aircraft systems at distances of up to 50 km. 

Koalitsiya-SV 2S35

To beef up Russia’s armory, this month the Defense Ministry ordered the first batch of new Koalitsiya-SV 152 mm self-propelled guns. 

The Koalitsiya-SV is set to replace the 2S19 Msta-S howitzer that’s been used by the Russian military since 1989. The new system boasts 52 caliber, 152 mm cannons. They’re equipped with muzzle breaks that reduce the huge recoil from the guns, which can shoot at virtually any angle.

Koalitsiya-SV

The Koalitsiya-SV is set to replace the 2S19 Msta-S howitzer that’s been used by the Russian military since 1989. The new system boasts 52 caliber, 152 mm cannons. They’re equipped with muzzle breaks that reduce the huge recoil from the guns, which can shoot at virtually any angle.

But more importantly, the weapon has a fire rate of 16 rounds per minute: That’s twice as much as most modern battle tanks can manage.

The Koalitisiya-SV’s main weapon is a 152 mm high-explosive shell, while it can also be armed with laser-guided Krasnopol projectiles that use satellite navigation for precision. The first war machines will join the Russian army’s ranks by 2020.  

2S7 Pion

2S7 "Pion" (S7M "Malka") 203 mm SP cannon 

During the Cold War, both Moscow and Washington worked on developing artillery systems that could fire tactical nuclear shells on battlefields. Russian manufacturers managed to create such a system. 

The 2S7 Pion can carry up to four 203 mm shells (which is pretty low compared to other artillery systems) that can eliminate targets at a range of 37.5 km.

“After the first successful nuclear tests scientists started working on applying these technologies to all possible weapon systems - even in land mines and tank shells. Yet tests proved that these types of projectiles were not as effective as radioactive clouds that spread over battlefields for kilometers, affecting everything in their paths despite being friend or foe,” Alexei Ramm, military analyst from Izvestia newspaper, told Russia Beyond.

As he mentioned, these tests proved the tactical nuclear weapons to be ineffective, and the Pion artillery system received conventional 203 mm projectiles, instead of mass destruction ones. However, the shells still made the artillery system one of the most powerful in the 20th century.

2S5 Giatsint-S

2S5 Giatsint self-propelled guns 

The 2S5 Giatsint-S is another Soviet innovation created to fire nuclear projectiles.

But unlike Pion, this system was charged with 152 mm rounds that could reach up to 28 km. It also carries up to 30 high-explosive shells and can also use heat, cluster, and smoke missiles. It’s fire rate is six round per minute and the launch machine is always accompanied by an ammo carrier.

In addition to heavy weapons, Giatsint’s has a 7.62 mm machine gun installed on its turret. Each tank has five AK assault rifles and an RPG installed on its side for the crew. In case of an air-attack, it’s equipped with a “Strela” portable anti-aircraft missile system.

Russia - Live Fire Artillery Firepower

 Source: WarLeaks - Military Blog

BM-21 Multi Launch Rocket System

2s35 Koalitsiya-SV 52 mm Self Propelled Gun

2A65 Msta-B 152 mm towed howitzer 

D-20 152 mm towed gun-howitzer

Russia - Russian Artillery & Infantry Winter Live Fire

 Source: WarLeaks - Military Blog

Russian artillery systems and mechanized infantry conducting winter live fire exercises.