D
Land ForcesRussia

2S3 Akatsiya (M1973)

152mm self-propelled howitzerFielded 1971Pending verification
Land ForcesRUS
2S3 Akatsiya (M1973)
Photo: Kerri-Jo Stewart from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
Type152mm self-propelled howitzer
Date of introduction1971
ProliferationAt least 19 countries
ManufacturerUraltransmashMed[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Displacement time3 minMed[1]
Emplacement time3 minMed[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.25 m11 ftMed[1]
Height3.05 m10 ftMed[1]
Combat weight27.5 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
ChassisObject 123 tracked chassisMed[1]
EngineV-59Med[1]
Engine power520 hpMed[1]
TransmissionMechanical two-gear transmissionMed[1]
SuspensionTorsion barMed[1]
Cruising range500 km311 mi · 270 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed60 km/h37 mph · 32 ktMed[1]
Fording depth1.0 mMed[1]
Protection
Hull Armor15 mmMed[1]
Turret Armor20 mmMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYes, Automatic CBRN defense system with filtration unitMed[1]
Armament
LoaderSemi-automaticMed[1]
Rate of fire (max)3-4 rds/minMed[1]
Rate of fire (sustained)1 rds/minMed[1]
Max elevation+60 degMed[1]
Min elevation-4 degMed[1]
Main armament1 × turret mounted 152 mm 2A33 howitzer, 152 mmMed[1]
Secondary armament1 x PKT (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun) 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range18.5 km11 mi · 10 nmiLongest-range ammunition listedMed[1]
Fire control
Computerized FCSYesMed[1]
Thermal Sight Vehicle CommanderYes, PG-4 sightMed[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerYes, OP5-38 gunner's telescopeMed[1]
Variants
2S3 (SO-152)Basic variant, developed in 1968. Produced in 1970–1975. Two modifications used D-11 and D-11M howitzers.[1]
2S3M (SO-152M)Equipped with a mechanized drum-type stowage for 12 rounds, the amount of hatches in rear armored plates of the hull and the turret was reduced, the configuration of those hatches was changed, antenna of R-123 radio set [1]
2S3M1 (SO-152M1)Equipped with a command data acquisition and display equipment, and with a new SP-538 sight. OF-38 Krasnopol laser-guided rocket-assisted projectiles were added to standard ammunition. Produced in 1987–1993. All 2S3s and[1]
2S3M2 (SO-152M2)Modernized variant equipped with an automatic fire control system, a satellite navigational system, and smoke grenade launchers. Developed in 2000.[1]
2S3M2-155An export-oriented variant of 2S3M2 equipped with a new 155 mm M-385 howitzer. Developed in 2000.[1]
2S3M3An experimental variant of 2S3M2 equipped with a further improved fire control system and a modernized howitzer 2A33M that can fire ordnance of a more powerful 2A65 howitzer that equips the 2S19.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 2Confidence · Source
OF-540 HE-Frag152 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
17.4 km11 mi · 9 nmi
Quantity
46 Total, any combination of Russian 152mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
655 m/s
Projectile weight
43.56 kg
Warhead
7.76 kg
Fuze
RGM-2 fuze
OF-25 HE-Frag152 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
18.5 km11 mi · 10 nmi
Quantity
46 Total, any combination of Russian 152mm Projectiles
Projectile weight
43.56 kg
Summary

2S3 Akatsiya SO-152 (СО-152) is a Soviet 152.4 mm self-propelled gun developed in 1968. It was a response to the American 155 mm M109.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
AngolaArmeniaAzerbaijanBelarusCubaAlgeriaEthiopiaGeorgiaKazakhstanLaosLibyaRussiaSlovakiaSyriaTurkmenistanUkraineUzbekistanVietnam
Sources
  1. 2S3 Akatsiya (M1973) Russian 152mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY 2.0)