Deputy DefenÑe Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Krivoruchko visited the Smolino test site in the Nizhny Novgorod region during a working trip, where he checked the progress of the state defenÑe order. The military personnel at the training ground demonstrated firing at various ranges from new artillery systems, such as Magnolia, Malva, Floks, Lotus, Drok and Sprut airborne light tank. The gunners fired at stationary and moving targets.
The Magnolia is a new self-propelled mortar system fitted with a 120 mm ordnance. It was specially designed to operate in harsh arctic environment. It is based on a DT-10PM Vezdesusciy articulated all-terrain tracked carrier. weapon is breech loaded. It can be used as a mortar or howitzer and deliver direct and indirect fire. This Russian artillery system can use either any standard 120 mm mortar shells or Kitolov-2M precision guided munitions.
The 2S43 Malva is a new truck-mounted howitzer fitted with a 152 mm ordnance. It is based on a BAZ-6010-027 8×8 heavy high mobility chassis. Its lighter and its wheeled chassis offers better cross-country mobility. It is an improved version of the 2A88 cannon, used on the latest 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer. Maximum rate of fire is up to 7 rounds per minute. A total of 30 rounds are carried for the main gun.
The 2S40 Floks (Phlox) is a new self-propelled mortar system fitted with a 120 mm ordnance. The Floks is based on the chassis of a new Ural-63704-0010 6×6 truck. The gun uses some components of the 2S31 Vena self-propelled mortar system. It can fire various munitions, including HEAT, HE-FRAG, mortar mine smoke and Kitolov-2M precision guided munitions. 28 rounds are ready to use and ore rounds can be carried by escorting truck.
The 2S42 Lotos is a new light, airportable and amphibious self-propelled mortar system, designed for the Russian airborne and naval infantry units. The 2S42 Lotos artillery system uses a modified chassis of a 2S25 Sprut-SD or the newer Sprut-SDM-1 airborne light tank. This artillery system can be used as mortar or howitzer, and deliver direct or indirect fire. It fires special 120 rifled rounds, developed for Russian mortar systems.
The 2S41 Drok is a new Russian mobile mortar system fitted with a 182 mm ordnance. The mortar has a maximum firing rate of 12 rounds per minute with a maximum range of 6,000 m and a minimum range of 100 m and has a full complement of 40 mortar bombs. The mortar turret offers sufficient depression for use in the direct-fire role, which provides further engagement options for close-range targets. The base vehicle used is the Taifun K-4386 4×4 mine-resistant protected patrol vehicle.
The 2S25 Sprut-SDM1 (Kraken-SD) is a light tank or self-propelled tank destroyer developed and manufactured by the Russian defence company, Volgograd Tractor Plant joint stock company, to meet the requirements of the Russian Airborne Forces (Vozdushno-desantnye voyska, VDV). This allows the 2S25 firepower to be as powerful as a main battle tank and as maneuverable and amphibious as airborne infantry combat vehicles. Its main armament, the 2A75, is capable of firing APFSDS, HE-Frag, HEAT and ATGM ammunition.
