2S7 Pion Explained

2S7 Pion
Origin:	Soviet Union
Type:	Self-propelled artillery
Service:	1976–present
Wars:	Soviet–Afghan War First Chechen War Second Chechen War Russo-Georgian War 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war Russo-Ukraine War
Production Date:	1975–1990
Is Ranged:	yes
Is Explosive:	yes
Is Artillery:	yes
Is Vehicle:	Yes
Is Missile:	yes
Crew:	14
Length:	10.5m (34.4feet)
Width:	3.38m (11.09feet)
Height:	3m (10feet)
Weight:	Whole vehicle: 46500kg (102,500lb) Cannon: 14600kg (32,200lb)
Suspension:	torsion bar
Speed:	50km/h
Vehicle Range:	Road: 650km (400miles)
Primary Armament:	203 mm 2A44 gun L/56.2
Armour:	10mm
Engine:	V-46-I V12 turbocharged diesel
Engine Power:	630kW
Cartridge Weight:	103kg (227lb) or 110kg (240lb)
Caliber:	203 mm
Barrels:	1
Elevation:	0-60 deg
Traverse:	30 deg
Range:	37.5km (23.3miles) (unassisted)
Max Range:	47.5km (29.5miles) (assisted)
Velocity:	960m/s
Carriage:	12m (39feet)^[1]

The 2S7 Pion ("peony") or Malka is a Soviet self-propelled 203 mm cannon. "2S7" is its GRAU designation. More than 250 units were built; some sources say 500, others up to 1,000. They were distributed around the former Soviet states during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Description

The 2S7 Pion was identified for the first time in 1975 in the Soviet Army and was called M-1975 by NATO (the 2S4 Tyulpan also received the M-1975 designation), whereas its official designation is SO-203 (2S7). It used a new-design chassis, partly based on T-72 and T-80 design,^[2] carrying an externally mounted 2A44 203 mm gun on the hull rear.^[3] The vehicle is self-entrenching and has an overpressure CBRN defense system.^[4] It was reported that the 12m (39feet) gun weighs 14.6t and has a service life of 450 rounds.^[1]

There are several manufacturers: the chassis was made at the Kirov Factory, St. Petersburg, Russia, while the gun and mount were made at the Titan-Barrikady plant in Volgograd, Russia.^[5]

The Malka modernization process in the late 2010s involved substituting several of the Ukrainian-produced components, such as the gearbox and engine, with new components manufactured in Russia at the Uraltransmash plant in Yekaterinburg.^[6]

The 2S7 uses a tracked chassis that was designed specifically for this artillery system. It uses a number of automotive components from the T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks. It is powered by a V-46-I turbocharged liquid-cooled V12 diesel engine,^[2] developing 560kW (or 630kW^[5]). It is also fitted with an auxiliary power unit, developing 18kW and powering all systems when the main engine is shut down.^[7]

The 2S7 carries a crew of fourteen and eight rounds of ammunition; seven crewmembers and four rounds are carried by the Pion, with the remaining crew and rounds in an auxiliary vehicle.^[7]

It takes the crew about six minutes to set up and five minutes to dismantle. The vehicle carries four 203 mm projectiles for immediate use. The gun is capable of firing nuclear ammunition.^[8] The gun has a range of 37.5km (23.3miles), but this can be extended to 55.5km (34.5miles) by using a rocket-assisted projectile.^[7] 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 the concussive force, the Pion is therefore equipped with an audible firing alarm that emits a series of short warning tones for approximately five seconds prior to the round being fired.^[6]

Operational and combat history

• The 2S7 was first used in combat by the Soviet Union in Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989)
• Russian forces used it in the First and Second Chechen Wars (First war: 1994–1996, Second war: 1999–2009)
• The Georgian Army used 2S7s in the Russo-Georgian War in 2008 (7–16 August 2008), five were visually confirmed as lost during the war: four destroyed and one captured by the Russian forces.^[9]
• 2S7s were brought back into service by the Ukrainian army during the war in Donbas in late 2014, and were used in combat just outside the 'buffer' zone stipulated by the Minsk Protocol, as they had long enough range to still provide artillery support.^[10]
• The Russian armed forces are reinforcing their artillery forces, reactivating 2S7M Malka 203 mm self-propelled howitzers and 2S4 Tyulpan 240 mm self-propelled mortars.^[11] The upgraded 2S7M SPH is linked to the modernised 1V12M command vehicle, which uses a GLONASS navigation unit.
• Video released by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence showed their 2S7s in use during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.^[12]
• The 2S7 has been pictured moving towards the border with Ukraine during the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.^[13]
• It was used by Ukrainian Forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine as early as 25 February 2022. In June 2023, Ukraine started using American supplied M106 high-explosive 203 mm (8 inch) shells used by the M110 howitzer.^[14]
• It was used by Russian Forces during the Russo-Ukrainian War, as reported in Newsweek on 27 May 2022.^[15] Satellite imagery shows that Russian forces deployed 2S7 south of Donetsk city in September 2022.^[16]

Variants

The original version is known as the 2S7 Pion.

An updated version called the 2S7M Malka entered service in either 1983 or 1986. The 2S7M Malka uses an improved fire control system that increased the rate of fire from 1.5 to 2.5 rounds per minute, and increased the ammunition load to eight projectiles.^{[17] [18] [19]}

The BTM-4 Tundra trench digger shares the 2S7 Pion chassis.^[7]

Operators

Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1,000 have been built.^[20] The Soviet Army had 347 in active service as of 1990.^[2]

• – 12, acquired in 2000 from the Czech Republic^[21]
• – at least 12, acquired from Russia in 2008–2009^[22]
• − 1 as of 2023^[23]
• – 60 2S7M in active service, 260 2S7 in reserve as of 2022.^[24] Modernisation with new running gear and electronics completed as of December 2021^{[25] [26] [27] [28] [29]}
• – 99, brought from reserve and restored to active service due to the war in Donbas^[30] and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine^[31]

Former operators

• − 36 in 2010^[32]
• – 12 operated by 17th Large Caliber Artillery Division in Žamberk, 1984–1994.^[33] One kept in Military museum Lešany
• Poland^[34] − 8 in 1989, all retired in 2006, one kept at Lubuskie Military Museum, Drzonów
• Slovakia – Slovak Armed Forces received 3 in 1993 after disbanding of Czechoslovak Army, with one being part of the Military History Museum Piešťany permanent indoor exhibition and one kept in inventory of Military technical and testing institute Zahorie^[35]
• ^[36] – passed on to successor states

See also

• 2B1 Oka
• 2A3 Kondensator 2P
• 180 mm gun S-23
• 240 mm mortar M240
• M110 howitzer

Notes and References

1. Book: Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices: 1945-1995 . 1995 . Marine Corps Intelligence Activity .
2. Web site: Soviet 2s7 Pion SPG (1975) . 19 April 2022 . www.tanks-encyclopedia.com . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220520001420/https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/ussr/2s7-pion.php . live .
3. Book: Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices: 1945-1995 . 1995 . . Quantico, VA . 16 March 2024 . V-14–V-15. }
4. News: 2S7 203-mm Self-Propelled Gun . FAS Military Analysis Network . 16 October 1999 . 29 May 2022 . 25 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211225092411/https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/row/2s7.htm . live .
5. News: 2S7 Pion (M1975) Russian 203mm Self-Propelled Gun (SPG) . 29 May 2022 . army.mil . 25 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925171119/https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/mediawiki/index.php/2S7_Pion_(M1975)_Russian_203mm_Self-Propelled_Gun_(SPG) . live .
6. News: Russia Army Receives Upgraded 2S7M Malka Self-propelled Heavy Howitzer . 13 December 2021 . Military Leak . 29 May 2022 . 27 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220127234817/https://militaryleak.com/2021/12/13/russia-army-receives-upgraded-2s7m-malkas-self-propelled-heavy-howitzer/ . live .
7. Web site: 2S7 Pion. Military Today. 10 January 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20090709114426/http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s7_pion.htm. 9 July 2009. live.
8. News: 203mm shells for 2A44 howitzer . 29 May 2022 . WEAPONSYSTEMS.NET . 29 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220529202348/https://weaponsystems.net/system/145-203mm+shells+for+2A44+howitzer . live .
9. Web site: Russia's Wars: Listing Equipment Losses During The 2008 Russo-Georgian War . Oryx . 20 August 2023 . 4 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221004135902/https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/10/russias-wars-listing-equipment-losses.html . live .
10. Web site: 2S7 Pion. War for Ukraine. 2 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160414072152/http://warforukraine.com/weapons/artillery/ukrainian-artillery/41-2s7pion.html. 14 April 2016. live.
11. Web site: 29 April 2018 . Upgunning Artillery . 18 April 2023 . Russian Defense Policy . en . 18 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418014829/https://russiandefpolicy.com/2018/04/29/upgunning-artillery/ . live .
12. . 28 September 2020 . Ağdərə istiqamətində düşmənin artilleriya bölmələrinə zərbələr endirilib . Enemy artillery units were hit in the direction of Aghdara . az . Azərbaycan Respublikası Müdafiə Nazirliyi . 29 September 2020 . 3 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201103020817/https://mod.gov.az/az/news/agdere-istiqametinde-dusmenin-artilleriya-bolmelerine-zerbeler-endirilib-video-32390.html . live .
13. Web site: 12 February 2022 . New footage shows Russia's 'atomic cannons' within 10 miles of Ukraine sparking nuclear war fears . 26 February 2022 . London Business News . en-GB . 26 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220226134509/https://londonlovesbusiness.com/new-footage-shows-russias-atomic-cannons-within-10-miles-of-ukraine-sparking-nuclear-war-fears/ . live .
14. Web site: Ukrainian 2S7 Pion shoots with American 203mm rounds . Militarnyi . 23 June 2023 . 23 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230623154329/https://mil.in.ua/en/news/ukrainian-2s7-pion-shoots-with-american-203mm-rounds/ . live .
15. News: Russians Show Off Artillery's Firepower Over Ukraine in Video . 27 May 2022 . Newsweek . 28 May 2022 . 28 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220528190602/https://www.newsweek.com/russians-show-off-artillerys-firepower-over-ukraine-video-1711085 . live .
16. Goodhind . William . 2023 . Russian 2S7 Self-Propelled Artillery, Occupied-Marianivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, 2 September 2022 . Contested Ground . 17 . 1–2 . 10.13140/RG.2.2.26947.99361/1 . 21 October 2023 . 31 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031231145/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374867668_Contested_Ground_Report_17_Russian_2S7_Self-Propelled_Artillery_Occupied-Marianivka_Donetsk_Oblast_Ukraine_2_September_2022 . live .
17. Web site: Russia: 2S7M Malka 203mm self-propelled guns destroy targets at 50km . 29 March 2018 . Army Recognition . https://web.archive.org/web/20190129150137/https://armyrecognition.com/march_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/russia_2s7m_malka_203mm_self-propelled_guns_destroy_targets_at_50km.html . 29 January 2019 . live .
18. Web site: Russian Military Forces - Aviation - Navy - Infantry firearms - Communications - Ground systems - Weapon photogallery. 24 December 2014. https://archive.today/20130706090030/http://militaryforces.ru/weapon-3-55-314.html. 6 July 2013. dead.
19. Web site: Russian army receives first modernized 203mm 2S7M Malka self-propelled howitzers . 7 December 2021 . Army Recognition . 27 February 2022 . 11 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211211192438/https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2021_global_security_army_industry/russian_army_receives_first_modernized_203mm_2s7m_malka_self-propelled_howitzers.html . live .
20. Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98
21. Web site: sipri.org . 3 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140423140358/http://portal.sipri.org/publications/pages/transfer/trade-register . 23 April 2014 .
22. Web site: Today.Az - What weaponry did Azerbaijan buy from Russia last year?. 24 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224181443/http://today.az/news/politics/75210.html. 24 December 2014. live.
23. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2023 . February 2023 . Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated . 978-1-032-50895-5 . 177–178 . 20 August 2023 . en . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 12 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230812034642/https://books.google.com/books?id=U86kzwEACAAJ . live .
24. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2022. 14 February 2020 . Routledge . 978-0-367-46639-8 . 194 . International Institute for Strategic Studies.
25. Web site: Артиллеристы ЦВО в Сибири получили новейшие самоходные пушки "Малка" . 26 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180626135856/http://www.armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2018/0626/101047388/detail.shtml . 26 June 2018 . live .
26. Web site: 14 April 2020 . Russia completes 2S7M Malka 203mm self-propelled howitzer upgrade . 15 April 2020 . 8 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200508081922/https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/russia_completes_2s7m_malka_203mm_self-propelled_howitzer_upgrade.html . live .
27. Web site: Russian Army gets one of world's most powerful self-propelled guns after upgrade . 18 April 2020 . 18 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418043117/https://tass.com/defense/1145729 . live .
28. Web site: 20 April 2020 . Russian MoD receives first modernised Malka gun . 1 June 2020 . Janes.com . 16 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200516122834/https://www.janes.com/article/95621/russian-mod-receives-first-modernised-malka-gun . live .
29. Web site: Defense contractor completes upgrade of Malka heavy howitzers for Russian troops. 15 December 2021. 15 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211215170813/https://tass.com/defense/1375287. live.
30. Web site: Украина возвращает на вооружение мощнейшие САУ Пион: видео. Liga . 10 November 2014. 11 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141111040157/http://news.liga.net/video/politics/3999522-ukraina_vozvrashchaet_na_vooruzhenie_moshchneyshie_sau_pion_video.htm . 11 November 2014. live.
31. Web site: Volodymyr . 1 March 2023 . Pravda.com.ua Interview: Ukrainian colonel Oleh Shevchuk • WarTranslated . 2 March 2023 . WarTranslated . en-GB . 2 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302145734/https://wartranslated.com/pravda-com-ua-interview-ukrainian-colonel-oleh-shevchuk/ . live .
32. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2010 . 2010 . Taylor & Francis Group . 978-1-85743-557-3 . 177–179 . 20 August 2023 . en . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 29 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230729165239/https://books.google.com/books?id=JwqCAQAACAAJ . live .
33. News: History of 131th Artillery Division . https://web.archive.org/web/20130322050628/http://www.13db.army.cz/html/historie_131_smdo.html . 22 March 2013 . cs.
34. Book: Foss . Christopher F. . Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005-2006 . 2005 . Jane's Information Group . 978-0-7106-2686-8 . 1019 . 20 August 2023 . en . 19 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230819221301/https://books.google.com/books?id=e8_HAAAACAAJ . live .
35. Web site: 203 MM SAMOHYBNÝ KANÓN 2S7 PION . sk . 11 April 2023 . 11 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411200745/https://ebadatelnavhm.vhu.sk/item/5/7 . live .
36. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . The military balance, 1989-1990 . 1989 . Brassey's . London . 978-0-08-037569-4 . 34 . Institute for Strategic Studies .