The 2S1 Gvozdika,; is a Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer that resembles the PT-76 but is essentially
The 2S1 Gvozdika,; is a Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer that resembles the PT-76 but is essentially

a lengthened version of the MT-LB APC, mounting the 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU designation.
a lengthened version of the MT-LB APC, mounting the 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU designation.

An alternative Russian designation is SAU-122 but in the Russian Army it is commonly known
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
as Gvozdika. The 2S1 is fully amphibious with very little preparation, and once afloat is

propelled by its tracks. A variety of wider tracks are also available to allow the 2S1
propelled by its tracks. A variety of wider tracks are also available to allow the 2S1

to operate in snow or swamp conditions. It is NBC protected and has infra-red night-vision
to operate in snow or swamp conditions. It is NBC protected and has infra-red night-vision

capability.
capability.

Description The 2S1 has seven road wheels on each side;
Description The 2S1 has seven road wheels on each side;

the running gear can be fitted with different widths of track to match terrain. The interior
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
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 sit the commander
and a fighting compartment to the rear. Within the fighting compartment sit the commander

on the left, the loader on the right and the gunner to the front. The all-welded turret
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 utilizes a 122 mm howitzer based
is located above the fighting compartment. The 2S1 utilizes a 122 mm howitzer based

on the towed D-30 howitzer. The gun is equipped with a power rammer, a double-baffle muzzle
on the towed D-30 howitzer. The gun is equipped with a power rammer, a double-baffle muzzle

brake and a fume extractor. It is capable of firing HE, leaflet, HE/RAP, armor-piercing
brake and a fume extractor. It is capable of firing HE, leaflet, HE/RAP, armor-piercing

HE, flechette and chemical rounds. Production history
HE, flechette and chemical rounds. Production history

The first prototype was ready in 1969. The 2S1 entered service with the Soviet Army in
The first prototype was ready in 1969. The 2S1 entered service with the Soviet Army in

the early 1970s and was first seen in public at a Polish Army parade in 1974. The vehicle
the early 1970s and was first seen in public at a Polish Army parade in 1974. The vehicle

was deployed in large numbers. It was designated the M1974 by the U.S. Army and manufactured
was deployed in large numbers. It was designated the M1974 by the U.S. Army and manufactured

in Bulgarian, Polish and Russian state factories. Variants
in Bulgarian, Polish and Russian state factories. Variants

Former Soviet Union/Russia MT-LBu - This larger variant of the MT-LB
Former Soviet Union/Russia MT-LBu - This larger variant of the MT-LB

that has the longer chassis and stronger engine of the 2S1 could be considered a derivative
that has the longer chassis and stronger engine of the 2S1 could be considered a derivative

of the 2S1. UR-77 "Meteorit" - A mine clearing vehicle
of the 2S1. UR-77 "Meteorit" - A mine clearing vehicle

with a turret-like superstructure bearing two launch ramps. The ramps are used to fire
with a turret-like superstructure bearing two launch ramps. The ramps are used to fire

rockets towing hose-type mine-clearing line charges. A single charge can clear an area
rockets towing hose-type mine-clearing line charges. A single charge can clear an area

of 90 m by 6 m. The UR-77 is the successor to the BTR-50 based UR-67.
of 90 m by 6 m. The UR-77 is the successor to the BTR-50 based UR-67.

UR-77 vehicles were used in mass in the Battle of Komsomolskoye during the Second Chechen
UR-77 vehicles were used in mass in the Battle of Komsomolskoye during the Second Chechen

War- the one-ton mine-clearing charges were used to blow away entire houses.
War- the one-ton mine-clearing charges were used to blow away entire houses.

UR-77s were delivered to the Syrian Army by Russia in 2014 to serve in the Syrian Civil
UR-77s were delivered to the Syrian Army by Russia in 2014 to serve in the Syrian Civil

War, where they have been used in action against the Free Syrian Army. Some UR-77s were filmed
War, where they have been used in action against the Free Syrian Army. Some UR-77s were filmed

in combat at in the Damascus suburb of Jobar on October 1st.
in combat at in the Damascus suburb of Jobar on October 1st.

RKhM "Kashalot" - Chemical reconnaissance vehicle with detection, marking and alarm
RKhM "Kashalot" - Chemical reconnaissance vehicle with detection, marking and alarm

devices. This model has the hull shape and single rear door of the 2S1, but with the
devices. This model has the hull shape and single rear door of the 2S1, but with the

short chassis and machine gun turret of the MT-LB. Former Western designation: ATV M1979/4.
short chassis and machine gun turret of the MT-LB. Former Western designation: ATV M1979/4.

RKhM-K - Command version with additional signal equipment but without sensors or markers.
RKhM-K - Command version with additional signal equipment but without sensors or markers.

2S34 "Chosta" - Modernisation of the 2S1 with the 122mm 2A31 gun replaced by the 120mm 2A80.
2S34 "Chosta" - Modernisation of the 2S1 with the 122mm 2A31 gun replaced by the 120mm 2A80.

Further improvements include a new fire control system, a battlefield observation system and
Further improvements include a new fire control system, a battlefield observation system and

the ability to fire the Kitolov-2M guided ammunition. One unit, the 21st Mechanized
the ability to fire the Kitolov-2M guided ammunition. One unit, the 21st Mechanized

Brigade in Totskoye is currently being equipped with the system.
Brigade in Totskoye is currently being equipped with the system.

2S15 "Norov" - A prototype tank destroyer equipped with a radar-based fire control system
2S15 "Norov" - A prototype tank destroyer equipped with a radar-based fire control system

and a 100mm gun. Poland
and a 100mm gun. Poland

The 2S1 Gvozdika were produced in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola under the name 2S1 Goździk.
The 2S1 Gvozdika were produced in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola under the name 2S1 Goździk.

2S1M Goździk - Version with special amphibious kit that increases the vehicle's amphibious
2S1M Goździk - Version with special amphibious kit that increases the vehicle's amphibious

capabilities. 2S1T Goździk - Version with a TOPAZ digital
capabilities. 2S1T Goździk - Version with a TOPAZ digital

fire control system from WB electronics. The system consists of a FONET-IP digital intercom
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.
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 same system is used on other Polish Armed Forces artillery systems like the AHS Krab,

Dana-T and WR-40 Langusta. Rak carrier - A new 120mm mortar turret with
Dana-T and WR-40 Langusta. Rak carrier - A new 120mm mortar turret with

an automatic feed system intended to be installed on existing 2S1 chassis as well as in the
an automatic feed system intended to be installed on existing 2S1 chassis as well as in the

wheeled KTO Rosomak chassis. LPG - A chassis of a surplus 2S1 Goździk
wheeled KTO Rosomak chassis. LPG - A chassis of a surplus 2S1 Goździk

converted into an Armored Personnel Carrier. The original gun turret was removed, the upper
converted into an Armored Personnel Carrier. The original gun turret was removed, the upper

part of the vehicle was redesigned, and the old engine replaced with a modern MTU diesel
part of the vehicle was redesigned, and the old engine replaced with a modern MTU diesel

engine. The vehicle is used as a command vehicle for the AHS Krab howitzer and Rak mortar units
engine. The vehicle is used as a command vehicle for the AHS Krab howitzer and Rak mortar units

and as medical or technical support vehicles.
and as medical or technical support vehicles.

Romania Model 89 - Romanian variant that uses a modified
Romania Model 89 - Romanian variant that uses a modified

version of the hull of the MLI-84. Iran
version of the hull of the MLI-84. Iran

Raad-1 - Iranian variant that is based on the hull of the Boragh APC.
Raad-1 - Iranian variant that is based on the hull of the Boragh APC.

Bulgaria BMP-23 - Infantry fighting vehicle with 2A14
Bulgaria BMP-23 - Infantry fighting vehicle with 2A14

23mm gun and ATGM 9K11 "Malyutka" in a 2-man turret. The chassis is based on the one from
23mm gun and ATGM 9K11 "Malyutka" in a 2-man turret. The chassis is based on the one from

the MT-LB but with components of the 2S1 and fitted with a 315 hp engine.
the MT-LB but with components of the 2S1 and fitted with a 315 hp engine.

BMP-23D - Improved version with 9K111 "Fagot" and smoke grenade launchers.
BMP-23D - Improved version with 9K111 "Fagot" and smoke grenade launchers.

BRM-23 - Reconnaissance version. Prototype.
BRM-23 - Reconnaissance version. Prototype.

BMP-30 - Similar chassis as the BMP-23 but with the complete turret of the Soviet-made
BMP-30 - Similar chassis as the BMP-23 but with the complete turret of the Soviet-made

BMP-2. Only 10 were built. Sudan
BMP-2. Only 10 were built. Sudan

Abu Fatma - This appears to be a licence produced version.
Abu Fatma - This appears to be a licence produced version.

Operators
Operators

 Algeria - 145  Angola
 Algeria - 145  Angola

 Armenia -  Azerbaijan - 81 2S1 and unknown number of
 Armenia -  Azerbaijan - 81 2S1 and unknown number of

UR-77  Bosnia and Herzegovina - 5
UR-77  Bosnia and Herzegovina - 5

 Belarus - 246  Bulgaria - 506
 Belarus - 246  Bulgaria - 506

 Cuba - 150  Croatia - 10
 Cuba - 150  Croatia - 10

 Eritrea - 20  Ethiopia
 Eritrea - 20  Ethiopia

 Finland - 72  Georgia 48
 Finland - 72  Georgia 48

 India-110  Iran
 India-110  Iran

 Iraq  Kazakhstan - 10
 Iraq  Kazakhstan - 10

 Libya  Poland - ~324
 Libya  Poland - ~324

South Ossetia  Serbia - 72
South Ossetia  Serbia - 72

 Slovakia - 49  Syria - 400
 Slovakia - 49  Syria - 400

 Russia - 622  Ukraine - 638
 Russia - 622  Ukraine - 638

 Uruguay - 6  Uzbekistan
 Uruguay - 6  Uzbekistan

 Vietnam  Yemen
 Vietnam  Yemen

Former Operators  Czech Republic - Phased out in early 2000s.
Former Operators  Czech Republic - Phased out in early 2000s.

 Czechoslovakia - Passed on to successor states.
 Czechoslovakia - Passed on to successor states.

 East Germany - Phased out in 1990 after German reunion
 East Germany - Phased out in 1990 after German reunion

 Hungary  Romania - 48 reserve status since 2005
 Hungary  Romania - 48 reserve status since 2005

 Slovenia - 8 reserve status  Soviet Union - Passed on to successor states.
 Slovenia - 8 reserve status  Soviet Union - Passed on to successor states.

 Yugoslavia - Passed on to successor states. Combat history
 Yugoslavia - Passed on to successor states. Combat history

Afghanistan - Soviet war in Afghanistan Chechnya - Second Chechen War
Afghanistan - Soviet war in Afghanistan Chechnya - Second Chechen War

Iraq - First Gulf War, Second Gulf War Yugoslavia - Yugoslav Wars, Kosovo War
Iraq - First Gulf War, Second Gulf War Yugoslavia - Yugoslav Wars, Kosovo War

Georgia - 2008 South Ossetia war Libya - 2011 Libyan civil war
Georgia - 2008 South Ossetia war Libya - 2011 Libyan civil war

Syria - Syrian civil war Ukraine - War in Donbass
Syria - Syrian civil war Ukraine - War in Donbass

See also PLZ-07
See also PLZ-07

PLZ-89 List of artillery
PLZ-89 List of artillery

List of AFVs 122 mm howitzer 2A18
List of AFVs 122 mm howitzer 2A18

References
References

Trewhitt, Philip. Armored Fighting Vehicles. New York, NY: Amber Books. p. 124. ISBN 0-7607-1260-3. 
Trewhitt, Philip. Armored Fighting Vehicles. New York, NY: Amber Books. p. 124. ISBN 0-7607-1260-3. 

External links FAS.org
External links FAS.org

Armscontrol.ru Huta Stalowa Wola - Polish manufacturer
Armscontrol.ru Huta Stalowa Wola - Polish manufacturer

Arsenal Co. - Bulgarian manufacturer of 2A31(2S1)
Arsenal Co. - Bulgarian manufacturer of 2A31(2S1)