Russia's new 2S43 Malva Howitzer falls short of NATO range
In early June 2024, a new howitzer gun—2S43 Malva—was observed in the service of the Russian army. It turns out that this equipment lags behind similar weapons used by NATO and Ukraine, which is why the Russians have already had to start working on an improved version.
A Ukrainian drone detected the 2S43 Malva howitzer gun belonging to the 9th Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian army in the Belgorod region. This is the first documented case of this weapon being used near the Ukrainian front. Although the Russians began incorporating it into service in 2023, and it has more to offer than post-Soviet artillery, it does not impress, for example, in terms of range.
The 2S43 Malva has too short a range
Defence Express, a portal specializing in military topics, noted that the 2S43 Malva's performance falls short of that of NATO artillery weapons. With standard 152mm shells, the 2S43 Malva can hit targets at a distance of up to about 16 miles. Ukrainian journalists emphasized that this is not competitive with similar Western self-propelled artillery systems.
For example, Polish AHS Krab howitzers, highly praised by Ukrainians, have a firing range of up to about 25 miles. The French CAESAR provides similar capabilities, and only slightly less by the German PzH 2000, with a range of about 22 miles. Using more advanced ammunition, NATO artillery can attack even further. So far, the Russians have not approached similar achievements.
No wonder, as the Ukrainians emphasize, that in introducing the 2S43 Malva howitzer gun into service, the Russians mainly boast of its high mobility and the presence of the MRSI mode. According to the manufacturer, the 2S43 Malva crew can move this equipment at a speed of up to 50 mph, relying on a range of up to 684 miles.
The howitzer also provides a good rate of fire, up to seven rounds per minute, but it is the range that remains the element on which the Russians are focusing during work on the modernized version of the 2S43 Malva.
Vladimir Artyakov, director of the Russian defense holding Rostec, said that a modernized version of the Malva with increased range is currently being developed. Russians will have something that can counter the long-range Western Howitzers currently supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It is estimated that the range of the 2S43 Malva, in cooperation with Krasnopol-D shells, will be increased to about 28 miles.
