The 2S1 ''Gvozdika'' (, "

Carnation ''Dianthus caryophyllus'' ( ), commonly known as carnation or clove pink, is a species of ''Dianthus'' native to the Mediterranean Basin, Mediterranean region. Its exact natural range is uncertain due to extensive cultivation over the last 2,00 ...

") is a Soviet

self-propelled howitzer Self-propelled artillery (also called locomotive artillery) is artillery equipped with its own propulsion system to move toward its firing position. Within the terminology are the self-propelled gun, self-propelled howitzer, self-propelled mo ...

introduced in 1972 and is in service in Russia and other countries . It is based on the

MT-LBu The MT-LBu is a Soviet Union, Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious vehicle, amphibious armoured carrier which was developed under the factory index Ob'yekt 10 in the late 1960s, based on the MT-LB. It has a more powerful engine, a 40 cm high ...

multi-purpose chassis, mounting a 122 mm 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its

GRAU The Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (), commonly referred to by its transliterated acronym GRAU (), is a department of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It is subordinate to the Chief of ...

designation. An alternative Russian designation is SAU-122, but in the Russian Army it is commonly known as ''Gvozdika''. The 2S1 is fully amphibious with very little preparation, and once afloat is propelled by its tracks. A variety of track widths are available to allow the 2S1 to operate in snow or swamp conditions. It is

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

protected and has infrared night-vision capability. The 2S1 was developed in

Kharkiv Kharkiv, also known as Kharkov, is the second-largest List of cities in Ukraine, city in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, abbreviated as the Ukrainian SSR, UkrSSR, and also known as Soviet Ukraine or just Ukraine, was one of the Republics of the Soviet Union, constituent republics of the Soviet Union from 1922 until 1991. ...

. It has seven road wheels on each side; the running gear can be fitted with different widths of track to match terrain. The interior is separated into a driver's compartment on the left, an engine compartment on the right and a fighting compartment to the rear. Within the fighting compartment the commander sits on the left, the loader on the right and the gunner to the front. The all-welded turret is located above the fighting compartment. The 2S1 uses a 122 mm howitzer based on the towed D-30 howitzer. The gun is equipped with a power rammer, a double-baffle

muzzle brake A muzzle brake or recoil compensator is a device connected to, or a feature integral (ported barrel) to the construction of, the muzzle or barrel of a firearm or cannon that is intended to redirect a portion of propellant gases to counter re ...

and a

fume extractor A bore evacuator or fume extractor is a device which removes lingering gases and airborne residues from the barrel of an armored fighting vehicle's gun after firing, particularly in tanks and self-propelled guns. By creating a pressure differ ...

. It is capable of firing HE (high explosive), leaflet, HE/RAP, armor-piercing HE,

flechette A flechette or flèchette ( ) is a pointed, fin-stabilized steel projectile. The name comes from French (from \''wikt:flèche, flèche''), meaning "little arrow" or "Dart (missile), dart", and sometimes retains the grave accent in English: flè ...

and chemical rounds.

Production history

The first prototype was ready in 1958. The 2S1 entered service with the

Soviet Army The Soviet Ground Forces () was the land warfare service branch of the Soviet Armed Forces from 1946 to 1992. It was preceded by the Red Army. After the Soviet Union ceased to exist in December 1991, the Ground Forces remained under th ...

in the early 1970s and was first seen in public at a

Polish Army The Land Forces () are the Army, land forces of the Polish Armed Forces. They currently contain some 110,000 active personnel and form many components of the European Union and NATO deployments around the world. Poland's recorded military histor ...

parade in 1974. The vehicle was deployed in large numbers (72 per tank division, 36 per motorized rifle division). It was designated the M1974 by the U.S. Army and manufactured in Soviet, Polish and Bulgarian state factories.

Variants

Iran

* Raad-1 ('Thunder') – Iranian variant based on the hull of the

Boragh Boragh or Boraq () is an Iranian-made armoured personnel carrier. Boragh is believed to be a reverse engineering, reverse engineered and upgraded model of the Chinese BMP-1, Type 86 (BMP-1). The upgrades include a reduction in weight, a higher roa ...

APC.

Myanmar

* 2S1U – In March 2019, a Ukrainian company, the Great Export Import Company, and the Myanmar military have signed a joint-venture agreement to build a plant capable of manufacturing armored personnel carriers (APCs) and self-propelled howitzers. The types of APCs that will be made in the plant are said to be eight-wheeled BTR-4Us while the howitzers will be 2S1Us, which are based on the MT-LBu multipurpose chassis.

Poland

The 2S1 Gvozdika, and other related vehicles such as the

MT-LB The MT-LB (, literally "multi-purpose towing vehicle light armored") is a Soviet Union, Soviet multi-purpose, fully amphibious vehicle, amphibious, tracked Armoured fighting vehicle, armored fighting vehicle in use since the 1970s. It was also ...

and

Opal Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silicon dioxide, silica (SiO2·''n''H2O); its water content may range from 3% to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6% and 10%. Due to the amorphous (chemical) physical structure, it is classified as a ...

, were produced in Poland by

Huta Stalowa Wola Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW SA) is a defense contractor that operates a steel mill in the city of Stalowa Wola, Poland. It is a major producer of military equipment and one of the largest heavy construction machinery producers in East-Central Europe. ...

under the name 2S1 Goździk. * 2S1M ''Goździk'' – Version with special amphibious kit that increases the vehicle's amphibious capabilities. * 2S1T ''Goździk'' – Version with a TOPAZ digital fire control system from WB Electronics. The system consists of a FONET-IP digital intercom system, new digital radio, military GPS receiver, military computer and dedicated software. The same system is used on other Polish Armed Forces artillery systems like the

AHS Krab The AHS Krab ( Polish for crab) is a 155 mm NATO-compatible self-propelled tracked gun-howitzer designed in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), by combining a modified South Korean K9 Thunder chassis with a British BAE Systems AS-90M Braveh ...

, Dana-T and WR-40 Langusta.

Romania

* OAPR model 89 (''Obuzierul autopropulsat românesc, model 89'') – Romanian variant combining the 2S1 Gvozdika's turret and a modified version of the

MLI-84 The MLI-84 is a tracked Romanian infantry fighting vehicle currently in service with the Romanian Land Forces. It was derived from the chassis of the Soviet BMP-1 but possessing a lengthened hull, a 12.7×108mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun mount ...

's chassis. Designed around 1978, it was produced between 1987 and 1992. Also, it is simply known as ''Model 89''.

Russia

* 2S34 Khosta – Modernisation of the 2S1 with the 122 mm 2A31 gun replaced by the 120 mm 2A80-1 gun-mortar. Further improvements include a new Malakhit

fire control system A fire-control system (FCS) is a number of components working together, usually a gun data computer, a Director (military), director and radar, which is designed to assist a ranged weapon system to target, track, and hit a target. It performs th ...

, a battlefield observation system and the ability to fire the Kitolov-2M guided ammunition. One unit, the

21st Guards Motor Rifle Brigade The 21st Separate Guards Red Banner Omsk-Novobug Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky (Soviet Union), Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Motorized Rifle Brigade, or simply the 21st Guards Motor Rifle Brigade was a formation of the Russian Ground Forces based in Or ...

Totskoye Totskoye () is a rural locality (a '' selo'') and the administrative center of Totsky District of Orenburg Oblast, Russia. Population: History The settlement was founded in 1736. During World War I, it was the site of a prisoner-of-war cam ...

, is currently being equipped with the system.

Serbia

* 2S1 modernized - The modernization is being carried out on the basis of the 122 mm towed howitzer of the Serbian modernization program. Project "SORA 122mm" and NORA B-52. Where the truck platform was abandoned, which was used by the prototype version of the "SORA 122mm" system in favor of a much better, crawler platform 2S1 Gvozdika system. The action was made possible by two new projectiles and an increased range of about 40% from . A new ballistic computer and fire control system make it much faster to prepare for action. There is also a new inertial navigation system, GPRS, as well as the possibility of action, multiple projectiles in one point, MRSI. Thus, it was achieved that with one 2S1 Gvozdika system, in the system of MRSI action in one point, 6 projectiles can be fired in one minute; the modernized 2S1 Gvozdika is much improved. For better defense, a turret with a 12.7 mm machine gun was added. In 2021, the first modernized 2S1 Gvozdika system battery was inducted into service with the Serbian Army.

Soviet Union

* 2S15 Norov – A prototype tank destroyer equipped with a radar-based fire control system and a 100 mm gun. * UR-77 Meteorit – Mine clearing vehicle with launcher for

mine-clearing line charge A mine-clearing line charge (abbreviated MCLC or MICLIC; pronounced or "mick-lick") is a device used to create a breach in minefields under combat conditions. While there are many types, the basic design is for many explosive charges connecte ...

Ukraine

* Kevlar-E –

Infantry fighting vehicle An infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle (MICV), is a type of armoured fighting vehicle and armoured personnel carrier used to carry infantry into battle and provide direct fire, direct-fire suppo ...

based on the 2S1 platform, equipped with Shturm

remote weapon station A remote controlled weapon station (RCWS), remotely operated weapon system (ROWS), or remote weapon system (RWS), is a remotely operated light or medium-caliber weapon system, often equipped with a fire-control system, that can be installed on Co ...

and room for 6 passengers in addition to the 3 crew. The original V8 diesel engine has been replaced with a diesel engine produced by

Caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder ...

Cummins Cummins Inc. is an American multinational corporation, multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines, electric vehicle components, and power generation products. Cummins also services engines and related equipmen ...

or Deutz, increasing the maximum road speed to . The vehicle is amphibious and has air conditioning, a fire detection and suppression system, an

system, navigation system, and night-vision equipment. The variant was first introduced in April 2018. The prototype has been fighting in the

Russian invasion of Ukraine On 24 February 2022, , starting the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, conflict between the two countries which began in 2014. The fighting has caused hundreds of thou ...

. * On January 21, 2025, the Danish Ministry of Defense quietly added the 2S1 Gvozdika 122mm self-propelled howitzer to its list of military donations to Ukraine. The quantity remains unspecified, and the origin of these systems has not been disclosed.

Vietnam

* PTH-01/122 – Locally made version of 2S1 Gvozdika, currently undergone testing.

Operators

Current operators

* – 140 as of 2024 * − 9+ as of 2024 * – 9 as of 2024 * − 68 as of 2024 * – 125 as of 2024 * – 48 as of 2024 * – 10 as of 2024 * − 3 as of 2024 * − 6 as of 2024 * * – 8 as of 2024 * – 32 as of 2024 * * – 54 as of 2024 * − 20 as of 2024 ** ' * − Used in Syria * − 60+ 2S1 and Raad-1 as of 2024 * – 60 as of 2024 * − Unknown number operated by the

Peshmerga The Peshmerga () are the internal security forces of Kurdistan Region. According to the Constitution of Iraq, regional governments are responsible for "the establishment and organization of the internal security forces for the region such as p ...

* − 18 as of 2024 * − Used by the

Libyan National Army The Libyan National Army (LNA; , ''al-jaysh al-waṭaniyy al-Lībii''), also known as the Libyan Arab Army (LAA; , ''al-Jaysh al-'Arabiyy al-Lībii'') or the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF; ), is a component of Libyan Armed Forces, Libya's mil ...

* – 206 as of 2024 * − 6 2S1 and 34 Model 89 as of 2024 * – 130 used by the Ground Forces, 85 used by the Naval Infantry, plus an unknown amount operated by the 1st Army Corps, 2nd Army Corps, and border guards. Estimated to have 1,800 in storage as of 2024 * – 67 as of 2024 * * * * − 3 as of 2024 * – 40 as of 2024 * – 125+ used by the

Ground Forces An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by p ...

Marines Marines (or naval infantry) are military personnel generally trained to operate on both land and sea, with a particular focus on amphibious warfare. Historically, the main tasks undertaken by marines have included Raid (military), raiding ashor ...

and Airborne Assault Troops as of 2024 * – 6 as of 2024 * − 18 as of 2024 * * * − 12 as of 2024

Former operators

* – 91 in 1999 * – 230 in 1989. Passed on to successor states * – 300 in 1989. Phased out in 1990 after German reunification * * – Unknown number operational prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq * * − 130 in 2004 * − 24 in 2004 * * – 8 in 1999 * – 3,200 used by the Ground Forces and 90 by the Naval Infantry in 1989. Passed on to successor states * – Passed on to successor states

Combat history

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...

–

Soviet–Afghan War The Soviet–Afghan War took place in the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan from December 1979 to February 1989. Marking the beginning of the 46-year-long Afghan conflict, it saw the Soviet Union and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic o ...

Chechnya Chechnya, officially the Chechen Republic, is a Republics of Russia, republic of Russia. It is situated in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe, between the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. The republic forms a part of the North Caucasian Federa ...

(Russia) –

First Chechen War The First Chechen War, also referred to as the First Russo-Chechen War, was a struggle for independence waged by the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria against the invading Russia, Russian Federation from 1994 to 1996. After a mutually agreed on treaty ...

(1994–1996),

Second Chechen War Names The Second Chechen War is also known as the Second Chechen Campaign () or the Second Russian Invasion of Chechnya from the Chechens, Chechen insurgents' point of view.Федеральный закон № 5-ФЗ от 12 января 19 ...

(1999 to 2000) *

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

–

Iran–Iraq War The Iran–Iraq War, also known as the First Gulf War, was an armed conflict between Iran and Iraq that lasted from September 1980 to August 1988. Active hostilities began with the Iraqi invasion of Iran and lasted for nearly eight years, unti ...

Gulf War , combatant2 = , commander1 = , commander2 = , strength1 = Over 950,000 soldiers3,113 tanks1,800 aircraft2,200 artillery systems , page = https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-PEMD-96- ...

Iraq War The Iraq War (), also referred to as the Second Gulf War, was a prolonged conflict in Iraq lasting from 2003 to 2011. It began with 2003 invasion of Iraq, the invasion by a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition, which ...

Yugoslavia , common_name = Yugoslavia , life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation , p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia , flag_p ...

–

Yugoslav Wars The Yugoslav Wars were a series of separate but related#Naimark, Naimark (2003), p. xvii. ethnic conflicts, wars of independence, and Insurgency, insurgencies that took place from 1991 to 2001 in what had been the Socialist Federal Republic of ...

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

–

Russo-Georgian War The August 2008 Russo-Georgian War, also known as the Russian invasion of Georgia,Occasionally, the war is also referred to by other names, such as the Five-Day War and August War. was a war waged against Georgia by the Russian Federation and the ...

Libya Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya border, the east, Sudan to Libya–Sudan border, the southeast, Chad to Chad–L ...

–

First Libyan Civil War The Libyan civil war, also known as the First Libyan Civil War and Libyan Revolution, was an armed conflict in 2011 in the North African country of Libya that was fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and rebel groups that were ...

Second Libyan Civil War The second (symbol: s) is a unit of time derived from the division of the day first into 24 hours, then to 60 minutes, and finally to 60 seconds each (24 × 60 × 60 = 86400). The current and formal definition in the International System of U ...

Nagorno-Karabakh Nagorno-Karabakh (, ; ) is a region in Azerbaijan, covering the southeastern stretch of the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. Part of the greater region of Karabakh, it spans the area between Lower Karabakh and Syunik Province, Syunik. Its ter ...

Second Nagorno-Karabakh War The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was an armed conflict in 2020 that took place in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, surrounding occupied territories. It was a major esca ...

Syria Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in West Asia located in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to Syria–Turkey border, the north, Iraq to Iraq–Syria border, t ...

– Syrian Civil War *

Ukraine Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the List of European countries by area, second-largest country in Europe after Russia, which Russia–Ukraine border, borders it to the east and northeast. Ukraine also borders Belarus to the nor ...

–

Russo-Ukrainian War The Russo-Ukrainian War began in February 2014 and is ongoing. Following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia Russian occupation of Crimea, occupied and Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, annexed Crimea from Ukraine. It then ...

Bibliography

* * * * *

References

External links

*
FAS.org

Huta Stalowa Wola – Polish manufacturer

Arsenal Co. – Bulgarian manufacturer of 2A31(2S1)
{{Authority control 122 mm artillery Self-propelled howitzers of the Soviet Union Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s Tracked self-propelled howitzers Tracked amphibious vehicles