Overview

The 2S3 "Akatsiya" (Acacia) is a Soviet 152mm self-propelled howitzer that formed the backbone of divisional artillery from its 1971 introduction through the Cold War and beyond. Built on a modified MT-LB tracked chassis, the 2S3 combined the powerful 2A33 gun (derived from the D-20 towed howitzer) with amphibious mobility and NBC protection, providing Soviet motor rifle and tank divisions with responsive indirect fire support.

Over 4,000 units were produced between 1971 and 1993, with exports to Warsaw Pact nations and various Middle Eastern/Asian countries. The 2S3 saw extensive combat in Soviet/Russian conflicts (Afghanistan, Chechnya) and regional wars (Iran-Iraq, Gulf War, Syria, Yemen), demonstrating reliable performance despite limited automation compared to modern SPH systems. Today it remains in service with Russia and numerous export operators, though gradually replaced by the 2S19 Msta-S.

Historical context

Soviet artillery doctrine in the 1960s emphasized massed fires to overcome NATO defenses, but towed artillery suffered from:

  • Emplacement time: 15-30 minutes to unlimber, survey position, and prepare to fire
  • Counter-battery vulnerability: Static positions easily targeted by NATO radar and artillery
  • Mobility: Horse/truck-towed guns struggled to keep pace with mechanized formations

The 2S3 program originated in 1967 as "Object 303", responding to requirements for:

  • 152mm caliber: Standardized Soviet artillery ammunition
  • Self-propelled mobility: Keep pace with tank/motor rifle divisions
  • Amphibious capability: Cross rivers without bridging
  • NBC protection: Sealed crew compartment for contaminated environments
  • Reduced emplacement time: Ready to fire within minutes of halting

Uraltransmash Design Bureau (Yekaterinburg) led development under chief designer Georgy Sergeyev, adapting the MT-LB multi-purpose tracked chassis (itself derived from the PT-76 light tank) for artillery use. The chassis provided:

  • Lightweight aluminum armor (minimal protection but adequate vs. shell fragments)
  • Amphibious capability (flotation via thin armor, water jet propulsion)
  • Proven automotive components from Soviet light armor production

The 2A33 gun was adapted from the proven D-20 towed howitzer (in service since 1955), modified for self-propelled mounting with semi-automatic breech and improved recoil system.

State trials completed in 1970, with production beginning at Uraltransmash in 1971. The 2S3 entered Soviet Army service in 1971-1973, equipping divisional artillery regiments (18-24 per regiment).

Specifications

Commonly cited specifications (2S3M variant):

Dimensions:

  • Length (gun forward): 8.40 m (27 ft 7 in)
  • Length (hull): 7.75 m (25 ft 5 in)
  • Width: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
  • Ground clearance: 0.40 m (16 in)

Weights:

  • Combat weight: 27,500 kg (60,627 lb)
  • Power-to-weight ratio: 11 hp/tonne

Armor:

  • Hull front: 20 mm aluminum alloy (sloped 60°)
  • Hull sides: 15 mm aluminum
  • Roof: 7-10 mm aluminum
  • Turret: 15-20 mm aluminum
  • Protection level: Small arms (7.62mm), shell fragments, NBC

Armament:

Main gun:

  • Designation: 2A33 152mm howitzer
  • Caliber: 152.4 mm (6 in)
  • Barrel length: L/27 (4.11 m / 13 ft 6 in)
  • Elevation: -4° to +60°
  • Traverse: ±15° (limited traverse turret)
  • Rate of fire:
    • Maximum: 3-4 rounds/minute (first 3 minutes)
    • Sustained: 2-3 rounds/minute (5-10 minutes)
    • Long-term sustained: 1 round/minute (heat management)
  • Ammunition capacity: 46 rounds (4 ready in turret, 42 in hull racks)
  • Recoil system: Hydropneumatic buffer, 0.70 m (28 in) recoil length

Secondary armament:

  • Machine gun: 1× 7.62mm PKT (optional mount), 1,500 rounds (anti-personnel, typically stored, not mounted)
  • Smoke grenades: 4× smoke grenade launchers (turret sides)

Ammunition types:

HE-Frag (High-Explosive Fragmentation):

  • OF-540 "Shrapnel": 43.56 kg projectile, 6.86 kg TNT explosive, standard HE
  • Range: 18.5 km (11.5 mi) full charge, 17.3 km typical
  • Lethal radius: 60-80 m fragmentation

Extended-Range Ammunition:

  • 3OF39 "Krasnopol": 152mm laser-guided projectile (compatible with 2S3M), 20.5 kg warhead, 20 km range
  • 3OF45 rocket-assisted: 43.5 kg projectile with rocket booster, 24 km range (2S3M only, requires modified breech)

Anti-Armor:

  • 3BK15 HEAT: Shaped-charge anti-tank round, 250 mm RHA penetration, direct fire (rarely used, inadequate vs. modern MBTs)

Illumination/Smoke:

  • 3D6 illumination: Parachute flare for night operations
  • 3D4 smoke: White phosphorus screening

Special ammunition:

  • Nuclear-capable: Compatible with 0.1-2 kt nuclear shells (1970s-1980s, retired from active service)
  • Chemical: Never confirmed deployed

Powerplant:

  • Engine: YaMZ-238V V8 diesel
  • Power: 300 hp (224 kW) at 2,100 rpm
  • Displacement: 14.86 L (907 cu in)
  • Transmission: Manual 5-speed
  • Fuel capacity: 450 L (119 gal) internal + 200 L (53 gal) external drums

Performance:

  • Maximum speed: 60 km/h (37 mph) on road
  • Cross-country speed: 25-30 km/h (16-19 mph)
  • Water speed: 4.5 km/h (2.8 mph) using water jets
  • Range: 500 km (311 mi) on road, 300 km (186 mi) cross-country
  • Fuel consumption: 90 L/100 km (2.6 mpg) road, 180 L/100 km (1.3 mpg) cross-country
  • Gradient: 70% (35°)
  • Side slope: 40% (22°)
  • Vertical obstacle: 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
  • Trench crossing: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
  • Fording: Fully amphibious with minimal preparation (trim vane erected, bilge pumps activated)

Fire control:

  • FCS: Basic optical sights, manual fire control
  • Aiming: PG-1M panoramic telescope (indirect fire), OP4M-40U optical sight (direct fire)
  • Laying: Manual gun laying using commander's instructions, no ballistic computer
  • Surveying: External survey team determines firing position coordinates

Crew:

  • Complement: 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
  • NBC protection: Collective overpressure system with air filtration
  • Communications: R-123M or R-173 VHF radio

Design characteristics

Chassis and mobility

MT-LB derivative: Hull based on multi-purpose tracked vehicle

  • Aluminum armor: Lightweight (27.5 tonnes total), enables amphibious operation
  • Torsion bar suspension: 6 dual road wheels per side, independent suspension
  • Track: 350 mm (14 in) wide steel with rubber pads

Amphibious capability:

  • Trim vane (stored on bow, erected before water entry) provides bow buoyancy
  • Bilge pumps clear water ingress
  • Water jets propel vehicle at 4.5 km/h
  • River crossing without preparation (crew remains buttoned up)

NBC protection:

  • Sealed crew compartment with overpressure system
  • PAZ air filtration unit (removes chemical/biological agents)
  • Limited radiation shielding (aluminum armor provides minimal protection vs. steel)

Turret and gun system

Limited-traverse turret: ±15° traverse (vs. 360° on 2S19 Msta-S)

  • Lightweight turret reduces vehicle weight
  • Manual traverse (no hydraulics)
  • Large traverse requires vehicle repositioning

2A33 gun characteristics:

  • Semi-automatic breech: Manually loaded projectile/charge, automatic breech closing and firing mechanism
  • Interrupted screw breech: Rapid-opening design
  • Muzzle brake: Single-baffle design reduces recoil by ~30%
  • Fume extractor: Mid-barrel bore evacuator

Ammunition handling:

  • Manual loading: Loader lifts 43.56 kg projectile, inserts charge bag, closes breech
  • No automated loading (crew fatigue limits sustained fire rate)
  • Charge selection: Six charge zones for range adjustment (manual selection)

Fire control system

Manual fire control: No ballistic computer or automated systems

Indirect fire procedure:

  1. Commander receives fire mission via radio (target coordinates, ammunition type)
  2. Commander calculates firing data using manual tables (range, elevation, charge zone)
  3. Gunner manually traverses/elevates gun to commanded settings
  4. Loader prepares ammunition (projectile + appropriate charge)
  5. Commander orders fire

Laying time: 3-5 minutes from march halt to first round (vs. 60-90 seconds for 2S19)

Accuracy limitations:

  • No GPS/GLONASS positioning (requires external survey team)
  • No meteorological sensors (wind, temperature, pressure data input manually)
  • No automated ballistic calculation (relies on commander's manual calculations)

Direct fire mode: OP4M-40U optical sight for line-of-sight engagements (anti-tank, bunker-busting)

Variants and upgrades

2S3 (baseline, 1971)

Initial production: 1971-1980s Features: 2A33 gun, manual fire control, basic radio Operators: Soviet Army, Warsaw Pact Production: ~3,000 units

2S3M "Akatsiya" (1975 upgrade)

Improvements:

  • Enhanced ammunition storage (46 vs. 40 rounds)
  • Improved NBC filtration
  • Upgraded radio (R-173 VHF)
  • Krasnopol laser-guided projectile compatibility (requires external laser designator)
  • Modified breech for extended-range ammunition

Most common variant: Majority of 2S3 upgraded to M standard by 1980s

2S3M1 (2000s modernization)

Enhancements:

  • GPS/GLONASS navigation receiver (automated positioning)
  • Digital radio communications
  • Improved fire control (semi-automated ballistic calculations)
  • Night vision for driver
  • Enhanced engine maintenance

Limited production: Russian Army upgrades, not widely exported

2S3M2 (proposed)

Planned upgrades:

  • Fully automated fire control system
  • Digital datalink to battalion command
  • Automated gun laying
  • Status**: Prototypes only, not mass-produced (2S19 Msta-S preferred)

Related systems

2A33 gun (towed): Towed version of 2S3's gun (rarely deployed, most artillery remained D-20 or 2A65)

2S1 "Gvozdika": 122mm SPH on MT-LB chassis (lighter, shorter range, battalion-level artillery)

2S5 "Giatsint-S": 152mm gun (vs. howitzer) on tracked chassis, longer range (28 km), flatter trajectory

Operational deployment

Service timeline

  • 1967-1970: Development as "Object 303"
  • 1971: Production begins, initial Soviet Army delivery
  • 1973: Full operational deployment (divisional artillery regiments)
  • 1975: 2S3M upgraded variant introduced
  • 1979-1989: Combat deployment, Afghanistan War
  • 1991-1993: Production ends (replaced by 2S19)
  • 1994-present: Continued service, gradual retirement

Global operators

Russian Armed Forces: 800+ in active service/reserve (gradually replaced by 2S19)

Former Soviet republics:

  • Ukraine: 300+ (combat use 2022+ Ukraine conflict)
  • Belarus: 150+
  • Kazakhstan: 120+
  • Armenia: 50+
  • Azerbaijan: 80+

Export customers:

  • Iraq: 150+ (pre-2003, most destroyed 1991/2003)
  • Libya: 100+ (civil war losses, current status unknown)
  • Syria: 200+ (combat use Civil War 2011+)
  • Algeria: 40+
  • Angola: 30+
  • Ethiopia: Unknown quantity
  • Vietnam: 30+
  • Poland: 100+ (retired, replaced by Krab SPH)

Combat record

Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989):

  • Divisional artillery support for Soviet operations
  • Mountain warfare (high-angle fire against Mujahideen positions)
  • Limited effectiveness vs. dispersed guerrilla targets
  • Reliable mechanical performance in harsh terrain

Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988):

  • Iraqi 2S3 battalions in artillery duels with Iranian M109
  • Mass fire missions during "War of the Cities" urban bombardment
  • Both sides used 2S3 (Iraq Soviet-supplied, Iran captured Iraqi units)

1991 Gulf War:

  • Iraqi 2S3 units targeted by Coalition airpower
  • Few engagements (Iraqi artillery suppressed/destroyed early in conflict)
  • Coalition captured intact examples for technical intelligence

Chechen Wars (1994-2009):

  • Russian artillery bombardment of Grozny, other urban centers
  • Urban warfare limitations (limited traverse, large vehicle in streets)
  • Counter-insurgency fire support

2008 Russo-Georgian War:

  • Russian 2S3 units in artillery support
  • Limited engagement (short conflict duration)

Syrian Civil War (2011-present):

  • Syrian government 2S3 units bombarding rebel positions
  • Prolonged urban siege warfare (Aleppo, Homs)
  • Indiscriminate fire on civilian areas (documented war crimes)

Yemen Civil War (2015-present):

  • Limited 2S3 use (terrain unsuitable, towed artillery preferred)

Ukraine conflict (2022-present):

  • Russian 2S3 units in artillery barrages (supplementing 2S19 Msta-S)
  • Ukrainian 2S3 battalions in counter-battery fire
  • High attrition: Counter-battery radar (AN/TPQ-36, COBRA) + precision strike (M777 Excalibur, HIMARS) destroyed dozens
  • Documented losses: 30+ Russian 2S3 destroyed/captured (Oryx open-source)

Strengths and limitations

Advantages

Mobility: Tracked chassis enables off-road operations, keeps pace with mechanized formations

Amphibious capability: Crosses rivers without bridging (unique among SPH)

Simplicity: Manual fire control, minimal electronics (easy maintenance, high reliability)

NBC protection: Sealed crew compartment enables operations in contaminated environments

Ammunition compatibility: Standard Soviet 152mm ammunition (interchangeable with D-20 towed, 2S19 Msta-S)

Cost: Low production/operating cost (vs. modern automated SPH)

Proven reliability: Decades of service demonstrated mechanical durability

Limitations

Manual fire control: No ballistic computer, slow emplacement (3-5 minutes), relies on external survey

Limited traverse: ±15° requires vehicle repositioning for large target shifts

Slow rate of fire: 3-4 rounds/minute maximum (vs. 8 rounds/minute for 2S19)

Short range: 18.5 km (vs. 24.7 km for 2S19, 30 km for NATO M109A6)

Light armor: 20 mm aluminum inadequate vs. anti-tank weapons, artillery fragments from larger calibers

Limited ammunition capacity: 46 rounds (vs. 50 for 2S19, 60+ for M109)

Obsolete accuracy: No GPS, no automated ballistic calculation (CEP 150-250 m at max range)

Vulnerability to counter-battery: Slow emplacement, no shoot-and-scoot capability (vs. modern SPH 60-90 second readiness)

Comparison with contemporaries

vs. M109 (USA):

  • Caliber: 155mm (M109) vs. 152mm (2S3)
  • Range: 18 km (M109 early), 24+ km (M109A6) vs. 18.5 km (2S3)
  • Rate of fire: 4 rounds/minute (M109) vs. 3-4 rounds/minute (2S3)
  • Fire control: M109A6 fully automated vs. 2S3 manual
  • Armor: Steel (M109) vs. aluminum (2S3)
  • Amphibious: 2S3 amphibious, M109 requires bridging
  • Result: M109A6 superior in all aspects except amphibious capability; early M109 variants comparable

vs. 2S1 "Gvozdika" (USSR):

  • Caliber: 122mm (2S1) vs. 152mm (2S3)
  • Role: Battalion-level (2S1) vs. divisional (2S3)
  • Range: 15.3 km (2S1) vs. 18.5 km (2S3)
  • Weight: 15.7 tonnes (2S1) vs. 27.5 tonnes (2S3)
  • Both amphibious, similar mobility: 2S3 heavier firepower, 2S1 lighter/more mobile

vs. 2S19 "Msta-S" (Russia, successor):

  • Caliber: Both 152mm
  • Range: 24.7 km (2S19) vs. 18.5 km (2S3)
  • Rate of fire: 8 rounds/minute (2S19) vs. 3-4 rounds/minute (2S3)
  • Fire control: Automated (2S19) vs. manual (2S3)
  • Emplacement: 60-90 seconds (2S19) vs. 3-5 minutes (2S3)
  • Cost: $2.5 million (2S19) vs. $800,000 (2S3)
  • Result: 2S19 generational improvement, 2S3 legacy system

Legacy and modern status

The 2S3 "Akatsiya" served Soviet/Russian artillery for over 50 years, representing Cold War-era design philosophy: simplicity, reliability, mass production over technological sophistication. While obsolete by modern standards (no GPS, manual fire control, limited range), thousands remain in service due to:

Cost: Upgrading/replacing 4,000+ 2S3 with 2S19 prohibitively expensive for Russia and export operators

Reliability: Proven mechanical systems require minimal maintenance

Logistics: Spare parts infrastructure established, crews trained

Doctrine: Russian artillery doctrine emphasizes massed fires; 2S3's limitations acceptable when concentrated in battalion-level salvos

Current status:

  • Russia: Gradual retirement, replaced by 2S19 Msta-S (800+ 2S3 remain in active/reserve)
  • Export operators: Most retain 2S3 as primary divisional artillery (limited funds for modernization)
  • Ukraine: Combat-proven 2022-2023, despite limitations

Future: Expect continued service through 2030s for export operators, Russian retirement by 2030-2035

Museum examples: Preserved at Kubinka Tank Museum (Russia), Imperial War Museum Duxford (UK, captured Iraqi example), various military museums worldwide

Related equipment

Related sections

Technical glossary

Self-propelled howitzer (SPH) : Artillery piece mounted on tracked/wheeled chassis, combining gun and vehicle for rapid deployment and shoot-and-scoot capability

Howitzer : Artillery piece with medium barrel length firing at high angles (vs. gun: long barrel, flat trajectory), optimized for indirect fire

Amphibious capability : Vehicle's ability to float and propel through water using buoyancy and water jets/propellers

Counter-battery fire : Artillery targeting enemy artillery positions using radar detection of launch signatures or forward observation

NBC protection : Nuclear, Biological, Chemical protection systems including sealed compartments, overpressure, and air filtration