152mm 2S3 Akatsiya

The 2S3 Akatsiya is a Soviet-era 152mm self-propelled howitzer developed in the late 1960s. It is designed to engage enemy personnel, artillery, tanks, and fortifications with direct and indirect fire.

Developed in response to the American M109 self-propelled howitzer, the 2S3 was designed to provide Soviet armored and motorized infantry divisions with highly mobile, heavy artillery support. The vehicle officially entered service with the Soviet Army in 1971 and quickly became a standard divisional artillery piece. It saw extensive combat during the Soviet-Afghan War, the Chechen Wars, and more recently, in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. Decades after its introduction, the Akatsiya remains in active service with numerous nations worldwide, frequently undergoing modernizations to upgrade its fire control and communication systems.