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Russia unveils Coalition-SV

May 9, 2015

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The Russian Ground Forces’ new 2S35 Coalition-SV (Koalitsiya-CB) self-propelled artillery (SPA) system will replace the 2S19 MSTA-S SPA in Russian Ground Forces service. It was seen during rehearsals for the 9 May Victory Day Parade in Moscow.

This system is understood to feature a new 152 mm ordnance utilizing a modular charge system. Although the turret of the 2S35 is covered, the exposed barrel’s muzzle break and recoil dampeners are notably different from that seen on the earlier 2S19.

Although stated to be based on the Armata hull, Coalition-SV’s hull is clearly different. While the frontal arc of the hull and crew positions appear similar to that of the Armata, the drivetrain appears to be that of a T-72/90, with the vehicle utilizing six T-72/90 roadwheels. Coalition-SV is said to weigh 55 tons. In total, eight examples of the Coalition-SV SPA are expected to take part in the parade.

Also set to make its debut at the parade is a new anti-tank variant of the GAZ Tigr 4×4 multipurpose armored vehicle equipped with the 9K129 Kornet ATGW. Although covered, the vehicle is clearly armed with a RCT equipped with eight Kornet missiles, in banks of four on either side of the RCT sighting system.

Also seen during the Victory Day Parade rehearsals are two additional Typhoon 6×6 vehicles, soon to be deployed by the Russian Ground Forces. The first is the Typhoon 6×6 armored personnel carrier (Kamaz-63968). The second is the Typhoon-U (Ural-63095), a mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) 6×6 vehicle.

Strapped for cash and reeling under heavy Western economic sanctions, Russia is turning to its forte: arms development and export. The rush of recent arms deals between Moscow and Cairo, Teheran, New Delhi and Beijing is a case in point.

It is now followed by a flurry of new armor designs, some of which will be on public display for the first time later today, during the May Victory Day Parade in Moscow. For the Russian people and for Mr. Putin personally, this is even more about generating much needed funds than about national prestige.