2B9 Vasilek

• Name — 2B9 Vasilek • Origin — Soviet Union • Type — Automatic gun-mortar • Is Artillery — yes • Service — 1970–present • Wars — * Soviet–Afghan War • Syrian Civil War • Russo-Ukrainian War • Second Nagorno-Karabakh War • Manufacturer — Bolshevik Plant, Norinco, Diósgyőri Gépgyár • Weight — 632 kg • Cartridge — 3.23 kg bomb • Caliber — 82 mm • Rate — 100–120 rpm • Velocity — 270 m/s • Max Range — 4,270 m • Feed — manually loaded individual bomb or 4-round bomb cassette • Sights — PAM-1 2.5× or 3× • Breech — muzzle loaded or breech loaded • Elevation — −1° to 85° • Traverse — 60°

• 2B9 Vasilek − Basic model • 2B9M Vasilek – Modernised version introduced in 1982, and adopted in 1983. • DE-82 − Upgraded Hungarian version developed in 1987. • Type W99 − 2B9 Vasilek produced in the People's Republic of China by Norinco. A 81 mm version was also made for the export market

• Vasilyek on MT-LB − During the Soviet–Afghan War, the Soviets often removed the wheels of the 2B9 before mounting the gun on the chassis of a MT-LB tracked vehicle. These improvised designs remain in service with the Russian Ground Forces • Vasilyek on ACRV − Hungarian modification, it was a Vasilyek mounted on the modified chassis of a MT-LBu, trials were conducted but ultimately it did not enter production • Vasilyek on BMP-1 − Hungarian prototype using the modified chassis of a BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle. It did not enter production • Norinco 81 mm mobile mortar system − In 2008, Norinco completed the development of a 81 mm Type W99 mounted on a vehicle chassis for the export market • Scorpion − In 2004, the US Army with the assistance of Picatinny Arsenal engineers, fitted a Hungarian-supplied 2B9 Vasilek into the rear of a Humvee chassis as a proof of concept for the Army and Marine Corps. It can carry 191 rounds and the armoured cab provides ballistic and blast overpressure protection for the crew. Ultimately, it wasn't adopted by the Army.

• Illustration — Map with 2B9 operators in blue with former operators in red

* * * * * * * * • – Used by both government and rebel forces in the Syrian Civil War * • – Used by both government and Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic forces in the war in Donbas *

• − Also used by Army of Republika Srpska • − Also used by the HVO * • Afghanistan Northern Alliance − Reported • Poland * • – Passed down to successor states.

• − A HMMWV fitted with a 2B9 Vasilek entered trials in 2004 for the US Army and Marine Corps, but it wasn't accepted for service