Russian 2S43 Malva Howitzer makes first appearance in combat

For the first time, the latest Russian 152 mm 2S43 Malva howitzer gun was observed on the front, as reported by the Military Service, citing findings from so-called white intelligence experts. The 2S43 Malva, belonging to the 9th Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, was detected by a long-range Ukrainian reconnaissance drone in the Belgorod Oblast. Here, we explain what the 2S43 Malva is.

The Russian self-propelled howitzer-gun 2S43 Malva is one of the newest additions to Putin's army arsenal. Designed by the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" from Nizhny Novgorod and produced by the Uralvagonzavod plant, the weapon first saw the light of day in 2020. Its state tests also began that year. The first models of the 2S43 Malva howitzer guns were inducted into service in October 2023.

The 2S43 Malva was developed as part of the "Nabrosok" research and development initiative. It is based on the BAZ-6010-027 Voshchina 8x8 wheeled chassis and is armed with a rifled 152 mm barrel known as the 2A64, the same barrel used in another Russian self-propelled howitzer, the 2S19 Msta-S. In practice, its firing range can reach up to around 19 miles, depending on the ammunition used.

According to Rostec, the Malva can move at a maximum speed of 50 mph and has an operational range of about 680 miles. The howitzer gun has a combat weight of 70,547 lbs, a length of 43 ft, a width of 9 ft, and a height of 10 ft. Its rate of fire is up to 7 rounds per minute.

The 7-member crew of the 2S43 Malva manually loads the shells. Notably, this howitzer gun has an armored cabin that protects small arms fire and artillery shell fragments.

The main tasks of the 2S43 Malva include destroying command posts, defensive structures, artillery and mortar batteries, air defense systems, formations of armored vehicles, and infantry. The Army Recognition Service notes that the 2S43 Malva can be transported by Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft, facilitating its rapid deployment to strategic locations.