The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the artillerymen of the Southern Military District (YuVO) in the Rostov Region have begun mastering the new Msta-SM2 self-propelled howitzers that entered service in 2021 after having received them in March 2020, as reported by Army Recognition. The crews belonging to the 150th Motorized Rifle Division performed high-speed maneuvering techniques and changing the firing position at the Kuzminsky training ground.
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Msta-SM2 crews of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division performed practical driving tests, including overcoming slopes, descents, water obstacles and dirt roads (Picture source: Russian MoD)

After the briefing, the Msta-SM2 crews began to perform practical driving tests, including overcoming slopes, descents, water obstacles and track dirt roads. The servicemen performed maneuvering techniques at high-speed sections, overcame the route as part of a convoy at maximum speeds, made turns and turns of varying difficulty, worked out the withdrawal of artillery batteries from the fire of a conventional enemy. To create conditions close to combat, smoke and imitation facilities were used on the driving track. In total, more than 300 servicemen took part in driving lessons, over 50 units of special and military equipment were involved.

2S33 MSTA-SM2 152mm self-propelled howitzer in a live demonstration in Nizhny Tagil, Russia (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Msta-SM2 features a new automated fire control system, a higher rate of fire and the possibility to use digital electronic maps to accelerate finding positions on the terrain, according to official data. "The Msta-S artillery system has considerable design differences from the previous modification," the press office stressed. Specifically, the upgraded howitzers feature a new automated fire control system, a higher rate of fire and the possibility to use digital electronic maps to accelerate finding positions on the terrain.

The 2S33 Msta-SM is an improved version of the 2S19 Msta-S 152mm self-propelled howitzer armed with a new 2A79 152mm cannon which has a greater range of fire. The 2S33 artillery howitzer has a range of more than 40 km, compared to the 2S19 which had a maximum firing range of 25 km. The 2S3 Msta-SM was unveiled for the first time in September 2013 during the defense exhibition in Nizhny Tagil.

It is fitted with the 152mm 2A65 gun with a rate of fire of more than 10 rounds per minute, which exceeds the rate of other artillery systems. This was achieved owing to the upgraded design of the loading mechanism. Target selection and gun positioning can be executed both from the battery command post using a special automated control system and from the SPH itself.