The Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) concern will complete all trials of the newest 2S43 Malva 152 mm self-propelled howitzer in 2022, a UVZ spokesperson told the TASS news agency. The new 8×8 152mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer 2S43 dubbed Malva developed by the Burevestnik Central Research Institute, a division of Uralvagonzavod for Assistance to Development, Production and Export of Advanced Technology Industrial Product. The issue of serial manufacturing of the Malva, as well as the development of its 155 mm export-oriented variant, will be made by the customer after successful completion of state trials. A prototype of the Malva 152mm wheel-based self-propelled howitzer is now passing through its preliminary trials. The all-aspect test program is set to be completed in 2022.
This new 2S43 Malva is based on the 8×8 military truck chassis BAZ-6010-027 manufactured by the Bryansk Automobile Plant. Its lighter and its wheeled chassis offers better cross-country mobility. It can self-deploy over long distances without the need of a semi-trailer. Also artillery system is more cost-efficient to maintain and to operate than other Russian artillery systems, based on tracked chassis. Though it looses in terms of off-road performance to tracked artillery systems. If the decision to arm the Airborne Forces with Malva is made, the gun will be supplied to a new artillery brigade. The Malva is fitted with a 152 mm ordnance.
In the Russian Army, the 2S43 could replace the 2A65 MSTA-B and the 2S1 Gvozdika 122 mm self-propelled howitzers based on tracked chassis. The 2S43 Malva is armed with the 152mm 2A64 cannon that is also used on the 2S19 MSTA-S. It has a maximum range of 24.5 km. It is slightly less than the the current 2S19 Msta-S can reach.The 2S43 Malva has a rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute thanks to the use of a new gun-loading mechanism. There is no public information about the tactical and technical characteristics of this new Russian artillery system due to the secret development of the project. Furthermore it looses in terms of range to the older 2S5 Giatsint 152 mm howitzer and the latest 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV that can reach 30-70 km.
UralVagonZavod is a Russian machine building company located in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. It is one of the largest scientific and industrial complexes in Russia and the largest main battle tank manufacturer in the world. The company’s main products include railway cars, tanks, road-building vehicles, agricultural vehicles, metallurgical products, tools and consumer goods. Production of T-90 main battle tanks accounts for 18–20% of the company’s overall production. This represents the highest level of tank production at UralVagonZavod and in Russia as a whole since 1993. Railway cars and other civilian production amounted to 2/3 of the company’s overall output. As of December 27, 2016, UVZ has been transferred to Rostec, following a presidential decree.
