2C19 Msta-S

2S19 “Msta-S” (GBTU index – Object 316, NATO classification – M1990 “Farm”) is a 152-mm divisional self-propelled howitzer. It was developed at the Ural Transport Engineering Plant. The chief designer of the howitzer is Yuriy Tomashov, and the 152-mm 2A64 gun is designed by G.I. Sergeev.

The 2S19 is designed to destroy tactical nuclear weapons, artillery and mortar batteries, tanks and other armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, manpower, air and missile defence systems, control centers, as well as to destroy field fortifications and prevent maneuvers of enemy reserves in the depths of their defence.

It can fire on observed and unobserved targets from closed positions and direct fire, including operation in mountainous conditions.

It can fire both rounds from the weapon's mount and from the ground.

In 1989, the new 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer was adopted by artillery regiments of motorized infantry and tank divisions of the Soviet Army.

It was first presented to the public at the Zhukovsky Air Show in August 1992.

The Ural Plant of Transport Engineering was appointed as the main developer of the 2C19, while the 2A64 howitzer was designed by the Design Bureau 2. In 1983, the first prototype was manufactured, and in November of the same year, the production of a prototype was completed, which was tested at the Rzhevskoye training ground in 1984. Initially, the 2S19 was developed on the basis of the T-72 tank, but serious shortcomings were identified during the tests, including a large swing during firing. To eliminate these shortcomings, it was decided to keep the hull geometry, engine, transmission, and control actuators from the T-72 tank. At the same time, the torsion bars and rollers of the self-propelled gun chassis were replaced with new ones developed on the basis of the T-80 tank. After the defects were eliminated, 6 2S19 self-propelled howitzers of the initial batch were produced by 1986. The manufactured self-propelled howitzers were sent for state and then military testing. After completion of the military tests and improvement of the identified shortcomings in 1989, the 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer was adopted by the Soviet Army.