The 2S19 Msta (, after the Msta River) is a 152.4 mm self-propelled howitzer designed by the Soviet Union, which entered service in 1989 as the successor to the 2S3 Akatsiya. The vehicle has the running gear of the T-80, but is powered by the T-72's diesel engine. Development The Msta is a 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 vehicle snorkel, 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. Operational use Msta-S howitzers were used by Russian Army to deliver artillery strikes against Chechen separatists during the Second Chechen War. Msta-S howitzers have been used in the Russo-Ukrainian War by the Ukrainian Army as well as pro-Russian separatists who captured one machine during the conflict. Operators Current operators – 18 – 12 – 10 – 1 – Received an undisclosed number of Msta-S. – Approximately 760 in service (including over 260 2S19M1 and over 210 2S19M2) and 270 more stored as of 2020. More Msta-SMs are being delivered. – 40, plus at least 34 2S19 Msta-S and 16 2S33 Msta-SM2 captured from Russia. – 48 Russia recently offered its Msta-S 152 mm Howitzer to foreign countries, particularly in the Middle East. A demonstration was organised in 2020 by Rosoboronexport, the country's nodal agency for arms export, for representatives from various Middle Eastern countries. Former operators Specifications Msta-S specifications provided by manufacturer Range: 24.7 km (15.3 mi) standard round 28.9 km (18 mi) base-bleed 36 km (22 mi) rocket-assisted Rate of fire: 6–8 rounds per minute Weapon elevation: −4° to +68° Weapon traverse: 360° Deployment time: 22 minutes Unit of fire: 50 rounds Variants 152 mm howitzer 2A65 – a towed version of the same gun. 1K17 Szhatie – a "laser tank" armed with a battery of lasers meant to disable optoelectronic systems;