MOSCOW. Jan 9 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Armed Forces will not decommission Soviet-era Akatsiya howitzers, but will upgrade them and equip them with new communications gear, an informed source told Interfax.
"During this work, their firing range will be increased by 15%, and new communications gear will be installed," he said.
After the upgrade, Akatsiya howitzers will use projectiles of new generations, he said.
Msta-S howitzers will be modernized too, he said.
"They will be equipped with a new automatic optical sight and new weapons," the source said.
According to data from open sources, the Russian Armed Forces' depots and military units store some 2,000 Akatsiya 152mm self-propelled howitzers.