MOSCOW. Aug 14 (Interfax) - Rostec will present the first domestically produced wheeled howitzer, Malva, to the public at the Army 2023 international military-technical forum, the corporation said in a statement.
"Malva is a new dawn for Russian artillery. The howitzer is powerful enough to destroy practically any target at distances exceeding 24 kilometers. We are working on an upgraded modification for Malva with a longer firing range. [...] The vehicle successfully passed state trials in July. Its serial production has begun, and the first howitzers will be delivered to forces in the coming months," the statement quoted Rostec First Deputy General Director Vladimir Artyakov as saying.
A mass strike in which several munitions simultaneously hit a target is a specific feature of the 152mm 2S43 Malva self-propelled artillery system. It fires over seven rounds per minute, and its ammunition is made up of several dozen rounds. Thanks to the all-wheel drive with an 8x8 wheel chassis, the gun can travel 1,000 kilometers on public roads without refueling and operates as an off-road vehicle, the statement said.
The Army 2023 military-technical forum will take place in the Moscow region on August 14-20.