2S19 Msta

2S19 Msta
2S19M2 Msta-S of the Russian Army
Type	Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin	Soviet Union/Russia
Service history
In service	1989 – present
Used by	see Operators
Wars	Second Chechen War War in Donbass
Production history
Designer	Uraltransmash
Designed	1980
Manufacturer	Uraltransmash
Produced	1988
Specifications
Weight	42 tonnes (92,593 lbs)
Length	7.15 m (23 ft 5 in)
Width	3.38 m (11 ft 1 in)
Height	2.99 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew	5
Elevation	-4° to +68°
Traverse	360°
Rate of fire	6-8 rounds per minute
Maximum firing range	Base bleed: 29km (18 mi) RAP: 36 km (22 mi)
Armor	Classified
Main armament	152.4 mm howitzer 2A65
Secondary armament	12.7 mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun
Engine	Diesel V-84A 840 hp (626.39 kW)
Power/weight	20 hp/tonne
Suspension	Torsion bar
Operational range	500 km (311 mi)
Speed	60 km/h (37 mph)

The 2S19 "Msta-S" (Russian: Мста, after the Msta River) is a self-propelled 152.4 mm howitzer designed by Russia/Soviet Union, which entered service in 1989 as the successor to the SO-152. The vehicle is based on the T-80 tank hull, but is powered by the T-72's diesel engine.

The Msta is a modern howitzer designed for deployment either as an unarmored towed gun, or to be fitted in armored self-propelled artillery mountings. Current production of the towed model is designated Msta-B, while the self-propelled model is the Msta-S (also known by the GRAU index 2S19).

Development of the 2S19 started in 1980 under the project name Ferma. The prototype was known as Ob'yekt 316. The 2S19's standard equipment consists of a semi-automatic laying system 1P22, an automatic loader, an NBC protection system, passive night vision device for the driver, a wading kit, a dozer blade, a smoke generator and 81mm smoke launchers, 1V116 intercom system and a 16 kW generator AP-18D. In 2008 the Russian armed forces ordered an improved model with an automated fire control system.

The 2A64 ordnance of the 2S19 can fire the following types of ammunition, among others: HE (24.7 km), HEAT-FS, HE-BB (28.9 km), HERA (36 km), smoke, chemical, tactical nuclear, illumination and cargo (ICM). The laser-guided round “Krasnopol” (of the 9K25 system) can also be launched, as well as the shorter "Krasnopol-M” which fits into the automatic loader.

Msta-S howitzers were used by Russian Army to deliver artillery strikes against Chechen separatists during the Second Chechen War.

Msta-S howitzers have also been used in the War in Donbass by the Ukrainian Army as well as pro-Russian separatists who captured one machine during the conflict.