2S9 Nona
The 2S9 NONA (Russian: Новейшее Орудие Наземной Артилерии, lit. 'Newest Ordnance of Ground Artillery') is a self-propelled and air-droppable 120 mm mortar designed in the Soviet Union, which entered service in 1981. The 2S9 chassis is designated the S-120 and based on the aluminium hull of the BTR-D airborne multi-purpose tracked armoured personnel carrier. More generally, the 120 mm mortar is referred to as the Nona, with the 2S9 also known as the Nona-S. Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1,000 2S9 were built.[3]
| 2S9 Nona | |
|---|---|
 2S9 Nona-S 120 mm self-propelled mortar, 2016 | |
| Type | air-droppable self-propelled mortar |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1981–present |
| Used by | see Operators |
| Wars | Soviet-Afghan War Russo-Georgian War Syrian Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | TSNIITOCHMASH |
| Designed | 1974–1980 |
| Manufacturer | Motovilikha Plants |
| Produced | 1979–1989 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.7 tonnes |
| Length | 6.02 m |
| Barrel length | approx. 1.8 m or 2.88 m[1][2] |
| Width | 2.63 m |
| Height | 2.3 m |
| Crew | 4 |
| Caliber | 120 mm |
| Elevation | -4 to +80 degrees |
| Traverse | 70 degrees |
| Rate of fire | 10 rpm, max; 4 rpm, sustained |
| Effective firing range | 8.8 km (conventional); 12.8 km (extended) |
| Armor | 15 mm max |
Main armament | 120 mm 2A60 mortar |
| Engine | 5D20 Diesel 240 hp |
| Power/weight | 27.1 hp/tonne |
| Payload capacity | 40-60 rounds |
| Suspension | torsion |
| Ground clearance | 450 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 400 liters |
Operational range | 500 km |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (road); 9 km/h (water) |
Description
The 2S9 Nona-S is an amphibious vehicle that can be propelled through the water by two rear water-jets. It is operated by a four-man crew comprising a commander, a driver/mechanic, a gunner, and a loader. The hull interior is separated into a command compartment, a fighting compartment and an engine compartment. A welded steel turret is located at the middle of the hull. The two-man turret has hatches for the gunner and loader respectively.
The 2S9 utilizes a 120 mm 2A51 mortar with a 1.8-meter-long barrel. The weapon is actually a hybrid of a mortar and howitzer, being an unconventional design that lacks a direct NATO counterpart. It is a rifled, breech-loaded weapon capable of firing HE (high explosive), white phosphorus and smoke rounds, as well as laser-guided munitions like KM-8 Gran. It can engage in indirect and direct fire, as well as targeting armoured vehicles; its armour-piercing rounds can penetrate the equivalent of 600-650 mm of steel plate at up to a kilometre.[4][1][5][6]
Operational history
They have been deployed by Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In July 2022, video on social media purported to show Ukrainian forces using M777 to destroy a towed 2B16 Nona-K in Hoptivka on the border to Russia.[7] In August 2022, Ukraine's armed forces claimed to use four captured Russian 2S9 against Russian forces.[8] In November 2022, a 2S23-SVK Nona was photographed in Ukrainian service. It was reportedly captured from Russian forces in March and took months to refit.[9]
Variants
Variants of the 120 mm Nona mortar:
- 2S23 Nona-SVK – BTR-80-based chassis mounting a 2A60 mortar, a variant of the 2A50.[10]
- 2B16 Nona-K – A towed version. Fitted with a muzzle brake.[5]
- 2S31 Vena – Is a similar concept based on the BMP-3 chassis. Longer barrel for increased range.[11]
- 2S17-2 Nona-SV – A BRM-1K with a 2S9 Nona turret, in use by the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[12][13]
Current operators
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Azerbaijan: 18 2S9[14]
Belarus: 18 2B23 Nona-M1[15]
Kyrgyzstan: 12 2S9[16]
Moldova: 9 2S9[17]
Russia: 446 (excluding 500 2S9 in store in an unknown condition): 280 2S9 Nona-S, 42 2S23 Nona-SVK and 124 2B16 Nona-K[18]
Syria - Quantity unknown [19]
Turkmenistan: 17 2S9[20]
Ukraine: 2 2B16 and 40 2S9.[21] 2S9 and 2B16 versions have been used by both sides during Russo-Ukrainian War[22][23]
Uzbekistan: 54 2S9[24]
Venezuela - 18 Nona SVK, ordered 2009, delivered 2011–2012.[25] 13 in service as of 2016.[26]
External links
- "2S9 Anona (Anemone)- 120mm SPH/Mortar". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- Walkaround 2S9 Nona from Kremenchug
References
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857438352.
- Marat Kenzhetaev (1998). "Self Propelled Artillery and Mortars". www.armscontrol.ru. MIPT Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- Arg. (n.d.). 2S9 Nona-S. Military. Retrieved November 13, 2022, from http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s9_nona_s.htm
- Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0-7106-1542-6
- "The Russian BMD-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle - TankNutDave.com". Archived from the original on 9 October 2018.
- 2B16 NONA-K, Army Guide, retrieved 16/02/2021
- 2S9 Nona, Military Today, retrieved 16/02/2021
- Manning, Joshua (12 July 2022). "WATCH: Ukraine destroy Russian Nona-K guns with M777 Howitzer". euroweeklynews.com. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- "Ukraine's Fighters Apply Trophy 2S9 Nona Self-Propelled Artillery Gun to Destroy russia's Armor (Video)". defence-ua.com. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- Campbell, Joseph (4 November 2022). "Ukrainian troops fire on Russians with captured weapons near key city". reuters.com. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- "2S23 Nona-SVK 120mm Self-Propelled Gun System". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- "2S31 Vena 120mm Self-Propelled Gun". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- "Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine".
- "Ukrainian Version of the Nona Self-Propelled Mortar On the BMP Chassis Went Into Series (Video)".
- The Military Balance 2016, p. 180.
- The Military Balance, 2022, p.186
- The Military Balance 2016, p. 187.
- The Military Balance 2016, p. 188.
- The Military Balance 2016, pp. 190–200.
- "Syria Rearms". Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
- The Military Balance, 2022, p.210
- The Military Balance 2016, pp. 205–206.
- Ferguson, Jonathan; Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (November 2014). Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014. Research Report 3. Armament Research Services. pp. 50, 70. ISBN 978-0-9924624-3-7. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- The Military Balance 2016, p. 491.
- The Military Balance 2016, p. 208.
- "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- The Military Balance 2016, p. 416.