SAO Giatsint-K in Special Operations
2S44 Giatsint-K at one of the training centers, December 2024. Still from the report by the TV channel Rossiya 1
Russian artillery uses various self-propelled gun systems in the Special Operation. Last year, several units and subdivisions received the latest self-propelled gun 2S44 "Giatsint-K". It is built on the basis of several finished products, and this approach has obvious advantages. The self-propelled gun combines high fire characteristics and improved mobility on any terrain.
In the war zone
At the end of 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defense published a short report dedicated to the process of training our artillerymen. The video included various samples of weapons and equipment, as well as their combat crews. In particular, for the first time, they showed an unknown self-propelled gun on a wheeled chassis with an artillery unit reminiscent of the 2A36 Giatsint gun.
Details became known later. On February 10, the Rossiya 1 TV channel released a large report on the service of the 238th Guards Separate Artillery Brigade from the 8th Guards Red Banner Combined Arms Army. The brigade and its units are part of the Center group of troops and are taking the most active part in the Special Operation.
The report again showed an unknown wheeled self-propelled gun, but now its designations were revealed - 2S44 and "Giatsint-K". By the beginning of February, the 238th Guards Brigade received a certain amount of such equipment, mastered it and modified it taking into account the specifics of operation at the front. Then the self-propelled guns began to be used for their intended purpose, to strike at the enemy.
The Ministry of Defense regularly publishes reports on the work of artillery and other troops. On July 25, a new material of this kind was released, dedicated to the SAO Giatsint-K and its crew. The short video showed the self-propelled gun moving to a firing position, the process of preparing to fire, and the firing itself. It also demonstrated the direct destruction of the target, recorded by a reconnaissance UAV.
Giatsint-K in the combat zone. Photo by Rostec
Another similar video was released a few days ago, in August. Its heroes were again the artillerymen of the 8th Combined Arms Army from the "Center" group. Again, all the processes of preparation and shooting were demonstrated, and the filming was carried out from the most interesting angles.
The Defense Ministry reports that Giatsint-K conduct combat operations and perform various fire missions on a daily basis. They support assault units, destroy various enemy targets, and participate in counter-battery fire. They provide fire and destroy targets at ranges of up to 30 km or more.
Rapid Development
It should be recalled that at the beginning of 2024, the newest self-propelled guns 2S43 "Malva" appeared for the first time in the Special Operation zone. In the minimum time, it was possible to gain experience in the operation and combat use of such equipment. In this regard, a decision was made to develop a unified self-propelled artillery system, but with a different artillery unit.
As reported earlier, the Giatsint-K was developed by enterprises of the Rostec state corporation. Probably, it was the Burevestnik Central Research Institute (Nizhny Novgorod), which had previously created the Malva and other artillery systems. The design of the new self-propelled gun took minimal time. By the end of last year, Rostec had already manufactured and sent the first 2S44 products to the troops.
Probably, in December and February, experimental or pre-production self-propelled artillery systems of a new type were demonstrated in open materials. During the past time, the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" and related companies could have advanced further and mastered full-fledged serial production. In this case, the army will receive new batches of "Giatsint-K", master them and use them in the Special Operation.
SAO involved in the Special Operation, July 2025. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
The number of new SPGs that the army has already received is, for obvious reasons, still unknown. The troops' needs for such equipment are also not reported. At the same time, it is clear that the overall benefit from these SPGs will be proportional to their number in units.
Gun on chassis
It is reported that the Giatsint-K project was developed based on the solutions and components of the existing 2S43 Malva self-propelled artillery system. This approach led to the unification of the two models and a number of advantages in design, production and operation. In general, the 2S43 and 2S44 products can be considered as an artillery duplex with all its features.
"Giatsint-K" is built on the BAZ-6910-027 "Voshchina" automobile chassis from the Bryansk Automobile Plant. This is a four-axle vehicle with a cabover configuration, capable of carrying various superstructures or loads. The vehicle is equipped with a YaMZ-849 diesel engine with a capacity of 500 hp and a transmission that provides all-wheel drive. The total length of such a chassis reaches 12 m. The curb weight is 18 tons, the load is 20 tons.
During the construction of the 2S44 self-propelled gun, a set of additional equipment is installed on the base chassis, such as control systems, ammunition boxes, etc. An artillery unit in the form of a mount with a gun is mounted on the aft platform. Jacks are also provided to transfer the recoil impulse to the ground.
Self-propelled guns participating in the Special Operation receive additional protection and camouflage. A frame for lattice screens and camouflage nets is mounted over the cabin and other units, including the gun mount. Such equipment makes it difficult to detect and recognize the self-propelled guns, and should also protect against some attacks.
Preparing a gun for firing. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
The self-propelled gun is equipped with a 2A36 gun. The gun mount is apparently based on the towed Giatsint gun carriage. The design of such a mount provides aiming in two planes. At the same time, the horizontal movements of the gun are limited to a sector of tens of degrees. The standard manual aiming drives are retained.
The Giatsint gun has a rifled barrel with a caliber of 152 mm and a length of 47 calibers. A developed slotted muzzle brake is provided. There is a semi-automatic breech with a horizontal wedge. Loading is separate-case with the use of a mechanical rammer. The gun is mounted on hydropneumatic recoil devices.
2A36 and 2S44 use their own line of separate loading rounds. It includes several types of projectiles for different purposes and cartridges with variable powder charge. "Gyatsint" can send a regular projectile to a distance of more than 30 km, active-reactive - to 35-37 km. The ammunition is transported in appropriate racks on the vehicle platform and fed to the gun manually.
The exact composition of the fire control system on board the Giatsint-K is unknown. At the gunner's workplace, you can see a control panel with a monitor for displaying data. Probably, a similar terminal is at the disposal of the commander. The onboard equipment of the self-propelled gun must ensure communication and reception of data on targets, topographic positioning, calculation of data for firing, etc.
The 2S44 Giatsint-K self-propelled gun is capable of moving along highways at a speed of up to 80 km/h. The chassis also has high cross-country ability. Cruising range is 1000 km. Preparing the combat vehicle for firing takes no more than a few minutes. After firing, the unit is folded and leaves the position in a minimum amount of time.
Proven by practice
Currently, the Giatsint-K SAO is participating in the Special Operation and demonstrating its capabilities. The existing potential was obtained due to a successful basic idea and competent use of available components. In addition, the operation of previously created Malva products made a significant contribution to the new project.
The moment of the shot. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
The 2S44 self-propelled gun is built on the serial chassis "Voshchina", which has high characteristics. It is capable of carrying various superstructures, including large-caliber gun mounts, and gives them high mobility. In addition, such vehicles are quite widespread in our army, which allows us to obtain all the advantages associated with unification.
"Giatsint-K" is armed with the same-name cannon, which has long been well mastered by the troops. At the same time, the 2A36 cannon has high combat characteristics and surpasses some other systems of its caliber in its main parameters. Thus, the increased firing range allows solving more complex combat tasks.
The relatively old weapon is supplemented with modern fire control devices. They increase the speed and accuracy of calculating firing data and thus have a positive effect on the overall results of combat operations. Such devices allow for a more complete use of the technical potential of the existing weapon.
According to available data, the production of the Giatsint series guns has long been stopped. In this regard, the new 2S44 SPGs are assembled using available materiel. In particular, the gun can be taken from the towed system from storage or from the combat unit. This approach to production provides a certain saving, and also allows the towed gun to be made self-propelled with all the positive consequences.
Thus, in the shortest possible time, the Russian industry has created a new self-propelled artillery vehicle with a 152-mm gun. This system should complement other equipment with guns of the same caliber in the troops, including the Giatsint-S, which have been in operation for a long time. The newest SPG 2S44 gives rocket troops and artillery new fire and operational capabilities - and they are actively mastering such equipment.
Information