How Ukrainian artillery modernized its park
The RF Armed Forces rely on a mix of legacy and modern systems. Among the main guns and launchers are the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer (122 mm), 2SZ Akasya (152 mm) self-propelled gun, 2S19 Msta-S and Msta-B (152 mm) self-propelled howitzers, as well as 2S5 Hyacinth (152 mm) and 2S7 Peony (203 mm). For direct fire support, 120-mm systems such as 2S23 Nona-SVK, 2S9 Nona-S, 2S31 Vena and the towed 2B16 Nona-K are used alongside a family of mortars, including the automatic 2B9M Vasilek (82 mm), 2B14-1 Tray (82 mm), the 2S12 Sani (120 mm) and the self-propelled Tulip (240 mm).
Much of this equipment traces back to the Soviet era, and similar patterns were seen in Ukraine before the recent conflicts. For both sides in the battlefield, artillery capabilities were roughly matched for a time, with Russia holding a numerical edge in many cases.
Range estimations show the older weapons still competitive in certain contexts: the 2S1 Gvozdika can reach about 15.1 km, the 2S3 Akatsiya about 17.3 km, the Msta-S a bit over 24 km, and the Giatsint-B (S) around 28.5 km. Yet the balance began shifting as Western weapons arrived to equip Ukrainian forces, introducing longer ranges and advanced targeting.
The adoption of a joint standard in the early 1990s by NATO members defined longer ranges for high-explosive and guided shells, creating a gap with many Russian systems. This shift pushed Ukraine toward Western‑made artillery to bolster its stockpile and firepower.
In practice, Western-supplied systems have played a relatively modest role in overall stocks, but their impact on reach and precision has been noticeable on the front lines.
How Ukrainian artillery was upgraded
Today, the Armed Forces of Ukraine deploy a mix of 155-mm howitzers from Western manufacturers. Some observers in Russia have warned that using a variety of shell types may complicate logistics, but the overall effect has been to expand both range and accuracy.
The United States provided 90 M777 howitzers, with Australia contributing six and Canada four. The M777 is a towed piece that integrates digital fire control, GPS data and drone-derived targeting to improve long-range accuracy.
One strength of the M777 is its compatibility with precision rounds such as laser-guided Copperhead and GPS-guided Excalibur shells. With conventional ammunition, the M777 can hit targets at about 24.7 km; with special rounds, its range extends to roughly 40 km. Some Ukrainian M777s arrived without full digital fire-control integration, which limited certain guidance capabilities.
Poland has supplied Ukraine with the AHS Krab, a 155-mm self-propelled system built on a licensed K9 Thunder chassis and using a British turret arrangement. Its maximum range is reported around 40 km. Slovakia has contributed Zuzana 2, mounted on a rugged 8×8 chassis, delivering a 155-mm howitzer with a 41 km reach and onboard systems that enable automatic terrain adaptation and data sharing from command centers. France sent CAESAR wheeled self-propelled howitzers with a 52-caliber barrel, capable of reaching about 42 km to 46 km depending on sources.
Coalition-SV and the evolving role of unmanned assets
Since the late 1980s, the Soviet Army’s artillery units relied on 2S19 Msta-S with ranges over 24 km. Over time, NATO standards and new fire-control approaches highlighted gaps that prompted the development of a long-range, high-capacity system. Work on a new self-propelled howitzer began in 2006, and by 2013 the first Koalitsiya-SV units entered service, with a series of 10 of these 152-mm machines deployed in the following year.
Koalitsiya-SV features substantial firing range, high ammunition capacity, and a rapid rate of fire. Its reported ceiling reaches up to 80 km, with a load of around 70 rounds and a possible cadence that can deliver a decisive effect on selected targets. Modern reconnaissance and targeting increasingly rely on unmanned aerial vehicles to provide real-time data, enabling precision fire even with traditional shells.
Operational concepts emphasize integrated systems. Batteries, divisions and regiments equipped with Koalitsiya-SV can operate within a unified sensor-to-shooter loop, but the full potential hinges on access to UAVs, data links, and real-time command data. This synergy allows artillery to function as precision weaponry in many scenarios, rather than relying solely on shell effectiveness.
Notes in this analysis reflect the perspectives of military observers and are intended to illustrate how evolving technology reshapes artillery strategy. The information focuses on equipment, range, and networked targeting across multiple nations.