2S7 Pion

They were distributed around the former Soviet states during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

• Name — 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 Second Nagorno-Karabakh War Russo-Ukrainian War • Production Date — 1975–1990 • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Is Vehicle — Yes • Is Missile — yes • Crew — 14 • Length — 10.5 m • Width — 3.38 m • Height — 3 m • Weight — Whole vehicle: 46,500 kg Cannon: 14,600 kg • Suspension — torsion bar • Speed — 50 km/h • Vehicle Range — Road: 650 km • Primary Armament — 203 mm 2A44 gun L/56.2 • Armour — 10 mm • Engine — V-46-I V12 turbocharged diesel • Engine Power — 630 kW • Cartridge Weight — 103 kg or 110 kg • Caliber — 203 mm • Barrels — 1 • Elevation — 0-60 deg • Traverse — 30 deg • Range — 37.5 km (unassisted) • Max Range — 47.5 km (assisted) • Velocity — 960 m/s • Carriage — 12 m

• 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. • 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. • 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. 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. • Russian 2S7s were pictured moving towards the border with Ukraine during the prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. • 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. • It was used by Russian Forces during the Russo-Ukrainian War, as reported in Newsweek on 27 May 2022. Satellite imagery shows that Russian forces deployed 2S7 south of Donetsk city in September 2022. • Illustration — Russian army uses 2S7M Malka howitzers during Invasion of Ukraine. February 2024

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. The BTM-4 Tundra trench digger shares the 2S7 Pion chassis.

• Illustration — Operators: Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1,000 have been built. The Soviet Army had 347 in active service as of 1990. • – 12, acquired in 2000 from the Czech Republic • – at least 12, acquired from Russia in 2008–2009 • − 1 as of 2023 • - 180 • – 60 2S7M in active service, 260 2S7 in reserve as of 2022. Modernisation with new running gear and electronics completed as of December 2021 • – 99, brought from reserve and restored to active service due to the war in Donbas and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine • Illustration — 2S7 Pion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine firing

• − 36 in 2010 • – 12 operated by 17th Large Caliber Artillery Division in Žamberk, 1984–1994. One kept in Military museum Lešany • Poland − 8 in 1989, all retired in 2006, one kept at Lubuskie Military Museum, Drzonów • Slovakia – Slovak Armed Forces 3 inherited from the Czechoslovak Army, from these one is kept at the Piešťany military museum exhibition and one is in inventory of Military technical and testing institute Záhorie • – passed on to successor states