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Russia’s first self-propelled wheeled howitzer “Malva” has successfully passed state testing, according to state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec.
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The more manoeuvrable, diesel 8x8 BAZ artillery truck chassis equipped with a 152mm howitzer can reportedly engage targets past 24 kilometres, has a seven shot per minute fire rate, and is capable of multi-round simultaneous impact mode.
The new vehicle represents a realignment towards similar-designed wheeled systems developed by NATO countries, compared to the more common towed howitzer and self-propelled tank chassis systems traditionally used as core artillery by Russia.
Malva is reportedly capable of covering 1,000 kilometres on public roads without refuelling, achieving a top speed of 90 km/h on road, has four-wheel drive for off-road travel and can be transported by Ilyushin Il-76 strategic aircraft.
Rostec weapons, ammunition, and special chemicals cluster industrial director Bekhan Ozdoev said the system can function in counter-battery combat with the self-propelled gun quickly turning to shoot back and leave the position before the enemy makes a retaliatory strike.
“Our top priority is to save lives of Russian military personnel; therefore we are especially focused on increasing mobility of self-propelled artillery systems,” he said.
“Thanks to its wheeled chassis, the Malva allows quick deployment and leaving the position.
“This is a modern gun used to destroy targets at a distance more than 24 kilometres. The rate of fire of the howitzer is seven shots per minute and the combat load consists of several dozens of shells.”
The Malva also reportedly has a longer service life and lower operating cost than traditional artillery, as well as its own self-contained power generating unit to ensure electricity supply.
The new artillery system is among a series of new howitzers which entered preliminary trials in Russia in 2018 including the 120mm self-propelled Flox and Magnolia guns, and Drok mortar systems.
Rostec first deputy general director Vladimir Artyakov said now that the Malva has passed state tests, it will next enter mass production.
“The first samples (of the Malva) will be delivered to the troops in the coming months,” he said.
“Distinctive features of this howitzer are high mobility due to the wheeled chassis. It contains an automated calculation of the firing parameters for all types of ammunition.
“A simultaneous fire raid mode is provided, that is, several shells fired one after another will reach the target at the same time.
“A modernised version of the Malva is being created with an increased firing range. We will have something to oppose to the long-range Western howitzers, which are now being supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“As for Phlox and Drok, they are at the final stage of testing. Serial samples of ‘Phloxes’ will begin to arrive to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the coming months. In turn, the first experimental batch of 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortars has already been sent to the troops. The complex was created on the basis of the armoured car ‘Typhoon’ and allows you to fire without leaving the car. As for the promising self-propelled gun ‘Magnolia’, it has passed the first stage of testing. It is being finalised and prepared for testing by the (Russian) Ministry of Defense.
“Testing of the 2S35 self-propelled artillery gun from the Koalitsiya-SV complex is planned to be completed this year. At the same time, its mass production, as well as the production of a transport-loading machine, has already been deployed. We have completed work on Tosochka (mobile thermobaric rocket launcher), they have been completed in full. This heavy flamethrower system confirmed the high tactical and technical characteristics set by the Russian Ministry of Defense.”
