State tests of the newest Russian self-propelled artillery gun "Magnolia" will be completed next year.

This was reported by the press service of the Uralvagonzavod concern (UVZ), which is part of the Rostec state corporation.

"The self-propelled artillery gun (SAO)" Magnolia "based on the DT-30PM has been developed, its state tests are planned to be completed in 2022," the press service of UVZ quotes TASS.

Uralvagonzavod stressed that prototypes of Magnolia, intended for use in extreme conditions, including the Arctic, are now undergoing preliminary tests.

The self-propelled gun "Magnolia" based on the armored two-link tracked conveyor DT-10PM (there is also a modification of the DT-30PM. -

RT

) was developed by the specialists of the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" as part of the "Sketch" development work.

The family of guns of this type also includes the 82-mm Drok self-propelled mortar and the Phlox 120-mm self-propelled artillery gun.

The road to trials

Back in 2017, the head of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Nikolai Parshin announced the development of a self-propelled artillery gun for units and subunits located in the Far North.

At a meeting of the leadership of the material and technical support system of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, he noted that in 2017 alone, 30 samples of rocket and artillery weapons were adopted.

    “For the further development of missile and artillery weapons, more than 50 research and development works were carried out, one fifth of which was carried out on an initiative basis.

    Currently, developments are underway to provide units and subunits deployed in the Far North.

    These are the 120-mm Magnolia self-propelled artillery gun on the chassis of an armored two-link tracked conveyor and the Tor-M2DT anti-aircraft missile system on the DT-30PM snow and swamp vehicle, ”Parshin said then.

    Later, in 2019, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces of the RF Armed Forces, Oleg Salyukov, said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper that the development of a whole family of highly mobile artillery and mortar weapons on various types of chassis, including for operations in the Arctic region.

    These developments are designed to increase the mobility and fire capabilities of battalion artillery.

    Firepower and permeability

    For the first time, the characteristics of the "Magnolia" were disclosed at the international military-technical forum "Army-2019", when the developer provided advertising materials for self-propelled guns for review.

    The first models of the SAO were exhibited at the Army-2020.

    From the information released it follows that the gun is mounted on a two-link tracked all-terrain vehicle DT-10PM "Vityaz".

    This armored personnel carrier weighs 27.5 tons in running order with a carrying capacity of 10 tons. Diesel engine В-46-5С with 800 hp.

    allows a maximum speed of 45 km / h.

    The speed when overcoming water obstacles is up to 6 km / h.

    The power reserve is 700 km.

    The design of this all-terrain vehicle allows "Magnolia" to carry out combat missions in difficult climatic and geographical conditions of the Arctic and the Far North, including difficult and swampy terrain.

    To gallery page

    On the rear hull there is a fighting compartment with a 120-mm 2A80 rifled semi-automatic cannon, which combines the fighting qualities of a howitzer cannon and a mortar.

    The design of the turret allows for circular horizontal aiming and raising the gun barrel at an angle from -5 ° to + 80 °.

    The cannon can fire high-explosive fragmentation shells at a distance of up to 8.5 km, and when using guided shells, the range of fire can reach 10 km.

    The rate of fire is 10 rounds per minute with 80 rounds of ammunition.

    The Magnolia has a crew of four.

    According to the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik", "Magnolia" is designed to carry out tasks of fire destruction of air defense and electronic warfare, anti-tank guided missile launchers, fortifications, armored vehicles of tank and motorized infantry units, airborne assault vehicles and enemy personnel.

    As military expert Alexei Leonkov recalled in the RT commentary, the two-link DT-30PM Vityaz all-terrain vehicle is already being successfully used in the Arctic version of the Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile system.

    “This type of chassis was chosen due to the fact that the climatic conditions of the Far North and various changeable soils create certain requirements, so not all equipment can move there freely.

    This all-terrain vehicle was tested in the Arctic, demonstrating high cross-country ability in difficult terrain, which is why it became the main chassis for Magnolia, ”Leonkov explained.

    He believes that the new self-propelled gun will be primarily in demand as a means of rapid response to the landing of any sabotage groups or an attempt to capture a beachhead in the Arctic or the Far North.

    “The main thing is that it can be quickly transferred to the scene of events and thus the combat support of the Russian army can be organized so that it can solve the combat mission facing it,” Leonkov says.

    The specialist emphasized that for operation in extreme climatic conditions, the weapon must combine high cross-country ability in difficult terrain and firepower.

    “For example, cannon artillery will not be able to pass difficult terrain, artillery on the Msta-S and Koalitsiya-SV chassis are limited in difficult climatic conditions.

    While "Magnolia" is adapted to the conditions of the Far North, it can be in the hot reserve for a quick response to any situations that arise along the northern borders of Russia, "Leonkov explained.

    In turn, military expert Yuri Knutov, in an interview with RT, noted the wide range of capabilities of the Magnolia's main weapon.

    “The Magnolia is equipped with a 120-mm cannon that can work as a howitzer and mortar.

    For northern latitudes, this is relevant, because you can use different sets of ammunition, including cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation, thermobaric, incendiary and even cluster.

    It is important that this technique can place a lot of ammunition, and at the same time, in the event of severe frosts, the personnel have a place to hide.

    “Magnolia” is a unique installation, today there is nothing like it in the world, ”the expert stressed.

    He called the appearance of such weapons in the Russian Armed Forces "very timely" due to the desire of the United States and its allies to challenge the influence of the Russian Federation in the Arctic.

    “Today, Russian Arctic military equipment is developing quite rapidly, because without strengthening this direction, Russia will not be able to restrain the aspirations of the United States, which wants to take control of the Arctic region, including the Northern Sea Route.

    In order to counter this threat, Moscow deliberately creates Arctic versions of many weapons, including artillery pieces, without which it will be difficult to organize the defense of the region, "Knutov explained.