Russian Army Orders 35 Units of MSTA-SM 152MM Self-propelled Artillery

The Russian military is set to receive over 35 units of MSTA-SM self-propelled howitzers by the end of this year.

"The Missile Troops and Artillery (MT&A) of the Russian Ground Forces will receive in 2020 more than 35 2S19M2 MSTA-SM self-propelled howitzers with automated fire control system. Target selection and gun guidance can be carried out using a special automated control system from the control point of the battery commander, or directly in the fighting compartment of the vehicle. For firing can be used guided and HE-fragmentation shells," the Russian ministry of defense said in a statement Tuesday.

The Russian army uses  the 152mm version of the MSTA-SM.

In March of this year, Rosoboronexport and UralVagonZavod (UVZ) demonstrated the combat capabilities of the export version of the  howitzer that uses a NATO standard 155mm gun. The demonstration was meant for a Middle  East customer.

The weapon is equipped with an automatic laying and fire control system, a thermal imaging sight coupled with a laser rangefinder, a muzzle velocity radar,
self-contained power supply and air conditioning unit, satellite navigation equipment etc. Especially underlined are its capabilities to hit the sea targets within its reach.

The 155mm version of Krasnopol guided artillery shell can be used by the system. It is designed to engage with high accuracy fixed and moving, armoured and unprotected vehicles as well as engineering constructions.

According to the state media, the autoloader mechanism design of the MSTA-S system has become the basis for the Chinese PLZ-05 SPG. PLZ-52 version of this system, which is marketed abroad, s generally similar in capabilities, but has lesser ammunition load.