The 2S1 Gvozdika (Russian: 2С1 «Гвоздика», "Carnation") is a Soviet self-propelled howitzer introduced in 1972 and in service in Russia and other countries as of 2023. It is based on the MT-LBu multi-purpose chassis, mounting a 122 mm 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU designation. An alternative Russian designation is SAU-122, but in the Russian Army it is commonly known as Gvozdika. The 2S1 is fully amphibious with very little preparation, and once afloat is propelled by its tracks. A variety of track widths are available to allow the 2S1 to operate in snow or swamp conditions. It is NBC protected and has infrared night-vision capability.
One was used in Series 21 of the British television series Top Gear (2002 TV series), as part of the fictional Top Gear Police Department.
Description
The 2S1 was developed in Kharkiv, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. It has seven road wheels on each side; the running gear can be fitted with different widths of track to match terrain. The interior is separated into a driver's compartment on the left, an engine compartment on the right and a fighting compartment to the rear. Within the fighting compartment the commander sits on the left, the loader on the right and the gunner to the front. The all-welded turret is located above the fighting compartment. The 2S1 uses a 122 mm howitzer based on the towed D-30 howitzer. The gun is equipped with a power rammer, a double-baffle muzzle brake and a fume extractor. It is capable of firing HE (high explosive), leaflet, HE/RAP, armor-piercing HE, flechette and chemical rounds.
Production history
The first prototype was ready in 1958. The 2S1 entered service with the Soviet Army in the early 1970s and was first seen in public at a Polish Army parade in 1974. The vehicle was deployed in large numbers (72 per tank division, 36 per motorized rifle division). It was designated the M1974 by the U.S. Army and manufactured in Soviet, Polish and Bulgarian state factories.
Variants
Iran
Raad-1 ('Thunder') – Iranian variant based on the hull of the Boragh APC.
Myanmar
2S1U – In March 2019, a Ukrainian company, the Great Export Import Company, and the Myanmar military have signed a joint-venture agreement to build a plant capable of manufacturing armored personnel carriers (APCs) and self-propelled howitzers. The types of APCs that will be made in the plant are said to be eight-wheeled BTR-4Us while the howitzers will be 2S1Us, which are based on the MT-LBu multipurpose chassis.
Poland
The 2S1 Gvozdika, and other related vehicles such as the MT-LB and Opal, were produced in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola under the name 2S1 Goździk.
2S1M Goździk – Version with special amphibious kit that increases the vehicle's amphibious capabilities.
2S1T Goździk – Version with a TOPAZ digital fire control system from WB Electronics. The system consists of a FONET-IP digital intercom system, new digital radio, military GPS receiver, military computer and dedicated software. The same system is used on other Polish Armed Forces artillery systems like the AHS Krab, Dana-T and WR-40 Langusta.
Romania
OAPR model 89 (Obuzierul autopropulsat românesc, model 89) – Romanian variant combining the 2S1 Gvozdika's turret and a modified version of the MLI-84's chassis. Designed around 1978, produced between 1987 and 1992. Also simply known as Model 89.
Russia
2S34 Khosta – Modernisation of the 2S1 with the 122 mm 2A31 gun replaced by the 120 mm 2A80-1 gun-mortar. Further improvements include a new Malakhit fire control system, a battlefield observation system and the ability to fire the Kitolov-2M guided ammunition. One unit, the 21st Guards Motor Rifle Brigade in Totskoye, is currently being equipped with the system.
Serbia
2S1 modernized - The modernization is being carried out on the basis of the 122 mm towed howitzer of the Serbian modernization program. Project "SORA 122mm" and NORA B-52. Where the truck platform was abandoned, which was used by the prototype version of the "SORA 122mm" system in favor of a much better, crawler platform 2S1 Gvozdika system. The action was made possible by two new projectiles and an increased range of about 40% from 15,200 to almost 22,000 m. A new ballistic computer and fire control system make it much faster to prepare for action. There is also a new inertial navigation system, GPRS, as well as the possibility of action, multiple projectiles in one point MRSI. Thus, it was achieved that with one 2S1 Gvozdika system, in the system of MRSI action in one point, 6 projectiles can be fired in one minute; the modernized 2S1 Gvozdika is much improved. For better defence a turret with a 12.7 mm machine gun was added. In 2021, the first modernized 2S1 Gvozdika system battery was inducted into service with the Serbian Army.
Soviet Union
2S15 Norov – A prototype tank destroyer equipped with a radar-based fire control system and a 100 mm gun.
UR-77 Meteorit – Mine clearing vehicle with launcher for mine-clearing line charges.
Ukraine
Kevlar-E – Infantry fighting vehicle based on the 2S1 platform, equipped with Shturm remote weapon station and room for 6 passengers in addition to the 3 crew. The original 300 horsepower V8 diesel engine has been replaced with a 420 horsepower diesel engine produced by Caterpillar, Cummins or Deutz, increasing the maximum road speed to 70 km/h. The vehicle is amphibious, and has air conditioning, a fire detection and suppression system, an NBC system, navigation system and night-vision equipment. The variant was first introduced in April 2018. The prototype has been fighting in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Operators
Current operators
Algeria – 140 as of 2024
Angola − 9+ as of 2024
Armenia – 9 as of 2024
Azerbaijan − 68 as of 2024
Belarus – 125 as of 2024
Bulgaria – 48 as of 2024
Chad – 10 as of 2024
Congo-Brazzaville − 3 as of 2024
Congo-Kinshasa − 6 as of 2024
Cuba
Croatia – 8 as of 2024
Eritrea – 32 as of 2024
Ethiopia
Finland – 74 as of 2024
Georgia − 20 as of 2024
South Ossetia
Hezbollah − Used in Syria
Iran − 60+ 2S1 and Raad-1 as of 2024
Kazakhstan – 60 as of 2024
Kurdistan − Unknown number operated by the Peshmerga
Kyrgyzstan − 18 as of 2024
Libya − Used by the Libyan National Army
Poland – 206 as of 2024
Romania − 6 2S1 and 34 Model 89 as of 2024
Russia – 130 used by the Ground Forces, 85 used by the Naval Infantry, plus an unknown amount operated by the 1st Army Corps, 2nd Army Corps, and border guards. Estimated to have 1,800 in storage as of 2024
Serbia – 67 as of 2024
Sudan
South Sudan
Syria
Tajikistan − 3 as of 2024
Turkmenistan – 40 as of 2024
Ukraine – 125+ used by the Ground Forces, Naval Infantry and Airborne Assault Troops as of 2024
Uruguay – 6 as of 2024
Uzbekistan − 18 as of 2024
Vietnam
Yemen
Zimbabwe − 12 as of 2024
Former operators
Bosnia and Herzegovina − 3 in 2004
Czech Republic – 91 in 1999
Czechoslovakia – 230 in 1989. Passed on to successor states
East Germany – 300 in 1989. Phased out in 1990 after German reunification
Hungary
Iraq – Unknown number operational prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
Islamic State
Lebanon − 130 in 2004
Republika Srpska − 24 in 2004
Slovakia
Slovenia – 8 in 1999
Yugoslavia – Passed on to successor states
Soviet Union – 3,200 used by the Ground Forces and 90 by the Naval Infantry in 1989. Passed on to successor states
Combat history
Afghanistan – Soviet–Afghan War
Chechnya (Russia) – First Chechen War (1994–1996), Second Chechen War (1999 to 2000)
Iraq – Iran–Iraq War, Gulf War, Iraq War
Yugoslavia – Yugoslav Wars
Georgia – Russo-Georgian War
Libya – First Libyan Civil War, Second Libyan Civil War
Syria – Syrian Civil War
Ukraine – Russo-Ukrainian War
See also
PLZ-07 – type of Self-propelled artilleryPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
PLZ-89 – Chinese 122 mm self-propelled howitzer
122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30) – Soviet towed artillery
2S19 Msta – Soviet/Russian 152 mm self-propelled howitzerPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
2S3 Akatsiya – Soviet 152 mm self-propelled howitzer
2S35 Koalitsiya-SV – Russian 152 mm self-propelled artillery
List of artillery
List of AFVs
Bibliography
International Institute for Strategic Studies (1989). The military balance, 1989-1990. London: Brassey's. ISBN 978-0080375694.
International Institute for Strategic Studies (1999). The Military Balance 1999-2000. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-922425-8.
International Institute for Strategic Studies (2004). Langton, Christopher (ed.). The Military Balance 2004/2005. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-856622-9.
International Institute for Strategic Studies (2024). The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-040-05115-3.
Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armored Fighting Vehicles. New York, NY: Amber Books. p. 124. ISBN 0-7607-1260-3.
References
External links
Media related to 2S1 Gvozdika at Wikimedia Commons