New Russian Self-Propelled Howitzer Copies French Caesar and Ukrainian Bohdana

In December 2024, reports surfaced about the emergence of a new Russian self-propelled howitzer (SAU) that uses an artillery module from the ‘Giatsint-B’ towed howitzer and a wheeled chassis from the 2S43 ‘Malva’. This development draws comparisons with the French Caesar system and Ukraine’s Bohdana.

The new Russian SAU is based on the BAZ-6910-027 ‘Voshchina’, an 8×8 wheeled vehicle. This chassis is already used for the 2S43 ‘Malva’.

However, the artillery part of the system is based on the 152-mm ‘Giatsint-B’ howitzer, which has a larger chamber volume compared to the ‘Msta-B’. This allows the ‘Giant-B’ to fire more powerful charges, increasing its range up to 50 km, particularly when using guided shells such as the ‘Krasnopol-D’.

The new system represents Russia’s attempt to optimize its artillery by combining existing components with a new chassis. The design aims to improve mobility and firepower, making it suitable for different operational conditions.

The new self-propelled howitzer may be compared to the French Caesar and Ukrainian Bohdana due to their similar wheeled configurations, which emphasize mobility and versatility in artillery deployment. The ‘Giatsint-B’-based Russian system appears to be a strategic effort to enhance Russia’s artillery capabilities while addressing logistical challenges posed by tracked vehicles in certain terrains.

Although the specific name of the new Russian system remains unclear, it is likely to play a role in future Russian artillery units.

Earlier on December 19, 2024, Ukrainian drone forces targeted a rare Russian 2S43 Malva self-propelled howitzer in the Kursk region. The strike was carried out using two FPV drones, with the first hitting the vehicle’s cabin and the second targeting its artillery components.