2S3 Akatsiya 152 mm self-propelled howitzer
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-03-03

Development of the 2S3 Akatsiya (acacia) 152-mm self-propelled howitzer began in 1967. It was a response to appearance of the US M109 self-propelled howitzer. First prototypes were completed in 1968. It entered service with the Soviet Army in 1971. A first significant batch of 70 units was delivered in 1973. It was produced in large numbers until production ceased in 1993. Also it was widely exported. The 2S3 Akatsiya is currently in service with a number of countries, including Russia. The Akatsiya is fitted with the D-22 152 mm/L27 howitzer, which is a modified variant of the D-20 towed gun-howitzer. The 2S3 is fitted with a load assisting system. Maximum rate of fire is only 3-4 rounds per minute. This howitzer can fire 30 rounds in 10 minutes or 75 rounds per hour. The Akatsiya is compatible with all 152 mm munitions developed for the D-20, ML-20 and D-1 towed artillery systems. These include HE-FRAG, HEAT, AP-tracer, illumination and nuclear projectiles. Maximum range of fire with standard HE-FRAG projectile is 17.4 km. Maximum range of direct fire is 4 km. Usually a total of 40 rounds are carried. These include 36 HE-FRAG rounds and 4 HEAT rounds. Upgraded variant, the 2S3M is also capable of firing Krasnopol precision guided projectiles with laser guidance. These have a range of up to 20 km. Secondary armament consists of remotely controlled 7.62 mm machine gun, mounted on top of the roof. The 2S3 has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver. Two additional ammunition handlers are attached, when firing ground ammunition. All-welded steel armor of the Akatsiya provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. The 2S3 Akatsiya uses a modified tracked chassis of the Krug (SA-4 Ganef) surface-to-air missile system. Vehicle is powered by a V-59 diesel engine, developing 520 hp. Two self-propelled howitzers of this type can be airlifted by the An-22 military cargo aircraft. It was planned that in Russian Army service older 2S3 artillery systems will be replaced by new 2S35 Koalitsyja-SV self-propelled howitzers. However by 2022 the 2S35 was not ready for production. Most likely that there was a number of technical issues with the new artillery system. Furthermore in 2022 sanctions imposed on Russia due to invasion of Ukraine. This could become a setback in the production of the new howitzer. So the 2S3 howitzer should remain in service in the near future. 2S3M, improved variant produced in 1975-1987. It has a magazine capacity of 46 rounds. This artillery system is capable of firing Krasnopol precision guided projectiles. These are laser-guided and have a range of up to 20 km. 2S3M1, upgrade of the 2S3M, fitted with a datalink. It was produced in 1987-1993. All surviving 2S3 self-propelled artillery systems were upgraded to the 2S3M1 standard. 2S3M2, latest upgraded version. It is fitted with digital ballistic computer and has an automatic gun laying system. Type 83 is Chinese self-propelled artillery system, modeled after the 2S3 Akatsiya. It also uses a tracked armored chassis with a modified ordnance of the PL-66 howitzer (Chinese license-produced version of the D-20). This artillery system is fitted with a semi-automatic loader and has higher rate of fire. Production of this self-propelled howitzer began in 1983.