Russia Advances Armament Upgrades at Army-2023 Forum
The Army-2023 forum marked a significant step as the Russian Ministry of Defense formalized a state contract to supply Malva wheeled howitzers to the armed forces, according to reports from DEA News citing the ceremony announcer.
During the event, the announcer detailed state contracts for the production and delivery of the 152-mm self-propelled artillery system 2S43, known as Malva. The agreement was reached in collaboration with the Central Research Institute Burevestnik, identified as a project partner. The memorandum also outlined arrangements with Burevestnik for supplying modernized 120 mm mortar systems built on the Ural-4320 chassis, as well as 120 mm mortars mounted on 2L81 wheels, and the 82 mm mortars 2B11 and 2B24.
Additionally, a contract was signed for the procurement of artillery radar systems to be produced by the Strela Research and Production Association. These steps illustrate a broader initiative to strengthen modern artillery capabilities within the Russian military infrastructure.
On August 16, the Head of the Main Armament Directorate, Lieutenant General Anatoly Gulyaev, announced that the Ministry of Defense had signed state contracts totaling 400 billion rubles at the Army-2023 international military-technical forum. The announcements emphasized Russia’s ongoing drive to equip its forces with a wider range of advanced firepower and radar assets in the coming years.
Reports indicate a focus on developing new drone suppression capabilities as part of ongoing defense modernization. The forum served as a platform to reveal strategic procurement plans and partnerships aimed at strengthening the country’s military industrial complex and improving operational readiness. These developments reflect a concerted effort to modernize the armed forces and expand capabilities across artillery and surveillance systems, while signaling continued modernization through close collaboration with research institutions and defense manufacturers. [Cited source: DEA News via forum announcements; details attributed to the official signing ceremony.]