The Russian Army has rolled out a new wheeled self-propelled artillery system (SPG), believed to be a modified version of the 152-mm 2S43 "Malva" howitzer.
Footage of this new weapon system was recently published by Russian media.
New Gun with Extended Range
Built on the BAZ-6010-027 armored chassis, the new SPG boasts an 8×8 wheel configuration—a platform already seen in the 2S43 Malva. While it retains many similarities with its predecessor, including the guidance system and general layout, the big change lies in its artillery component.
Replacing the standard 152-mm 2A64 howitzer, the new SPG features the 2A36 Hyacinth-B long-range gun. This swap dramatically extends its range:
High-explosive fragmentation rounds now reach up to 30.5 km (previously 24.7 km).
Rocket-assisted shells push the range further, from 29 km to 33.1 km.
Beyond its upgraded gun, the SPG includes modern protective features like anti-drone fabric screens and an electronic warfare system, indicating a focus on survivability in contemporary battlefields.
According to Andriy Tarasenko, an expert in armored vehicles, this system doesn’t incorporate a freshly designed artillery unit. Instead, it relies on the Hyacinth-B gun, which has been repurposed from storage.
This is evident from the gun’s distinctive stopper-stop mounting and the inclusion of sight and manual guidance mounts typical of the older model.
Interestingly, the SPG uses an original booster loading system rather than the semi-automatic loader found on the Malva. This suggests a conscious effort to streamline production by reusing existing components, possibly to reduce costs or expedite deployment.
This was reported by Militarnyi.
Challenges in Ammunition Supply
Despite its enhanced range, the use of the 2A36 Hyacinth-B gun brings logistical hurdles.
Unlike other Soviet and post-Soviet 152-mm artillery systems, this gun requires specialized ammunition that is incompatible with standard rounds.
Adding to the complexity, new 2A36 guns are no longer produced in Russia.
Their manufacturing once took place at the now-defunct Motovilikhinsky Zavody, which filed for bankruptcy in 2018. Its assets were acquired in 2023 by Remdizel, a company specializing in armored vehicle production, raising questions about whether production of the required ammunition can be revived.
