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AArtillery
Soviet self-propelled howitzer introduced in 1972 and is in service in Russia and other countries as of 2026
At a glance
2S1 Gvozdikalarger figure on 2 of 4
M119 howitzerlarger figure on 2 of 4
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Configuration
| Specification | 2S1 Gvozdika | M119 howitzer |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled artillery[source] | Towed field gun[source] |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union[source] | United States[source] |
| In service | 1972–present[source] | — |
| Used by | see Operators[source] | See operators[source] |
Mass
Single source16 t (16 long tons; 18 short tons)[source]
Cannon alone
Single sourceCombat
Single sourceWith BII
Single sourceWithout BII
Single sourceWith BII: 5,110 lb (2,320 kg) Without BII: 4,690 lb (2,130 kg) Cannon alone: 1,389 lb (630 kg) Combat: 4,268 lb (1,936 kg)[source]
Maximum; Off-road
Single sourceMaximum; Road
Single sourceMaximum; Swim
Single sourceRoad: 60 km/h (37 mph) Off-road: 30 km/h (19 mph) Swim: 4.5 km/h (2.8 mph)[source]
Maximum; Conventional
Single sourceMaximum; Extended
Single sourceOperational; Operational range
Single sourceConventional: 15.3 km (9.5 mi) Extended: 21.9 km (13.6 mi)[source]
500 km (310 mi)[source]
Maximum; Charge 7
Single sourceMaximum; Charge 7 Charge 8 (with RAP)
Single sourceYaMZ-238N diesel
Single sourceYaMZ-238N diesel 220 kW (300 hp)[source]
Maximum
Single sourceSustained
Single sourceMaximum: 5 rpm Sustained: 1–2 rpm[source]
Maximum
Single sourcefor 3 minutes Sustained for 30 minutes
Single sourceMuzzle velocity
Single source680 m/s (2,200 ft/s)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Wars |
|---|
Soviet–Afghan War Iran–Iraq War Gulf War War in Abkhazia (1992–1993) Yugoslav Wars First Chechen War Second Chechen War Iraq War Russo-Georgian War First Libyan Civil War Second Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War Second Nagorno-Karabakh war Tigray War[source] |
War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Iraq War Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen Russian invasion of Ukraine[source] |
| Designer | Kharkiv Tractor Plant[source] | — |
|---|
| Designed | 1956–1961[source] | — |
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| Produced | 1971–1991[source] | 1989–2013[source] |
|---|
| No. built | 10,000+[source] | — |
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| Variants | see Variants[source] | M119, M119A1, M119A2, M119A3[source] |
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| Shell | 122 x 447mm .R separate loading, cased charge[source] | Semi-fixed 105 x 372 mm R[source] |
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| Breech | Vertical sliding-wedge , semi-automatic[source] | — |
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| Elevation | -3 to +70 degrees[source] | -5.625° (−100 mils) to +69.975° (+1,244 mils)[source] |
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| Traverse | 360 degrees[source] | 5.625° (100 mils) left or right[source] |
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| Armor | 7–20 mm (0.28–0.79 in)[source] | — |
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| Main armament | 2A18 122 mm (4.8 in) howitzer[source] | — |
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| Suspension | torsion bar[source] | — |
|---|
| Former operator · Czech Republic | Czech Republic[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Czechoslovakia | Czechoslovakia[source] | — |
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| Former operator · East Germany | East Germany[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Hungary | Hungary[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Iraq | Iraq[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Islamic State | Islamic State[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Libya | Libya[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Republika Srpska | Republika Srpska[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Slovakia | Slovakia[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Slovenia | Slovenia[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Soviet Union | Soviet Union[source] | — |
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| Former operator · Yugoslavia | Yugoslavia[source] | — |
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| Role | Soviet self-propelled howitzer introduced in 1972 and is in service in Russia and other countries as of 2026[source] | lightweight 105 mm howitzer ,[source] |
|---|
| Source measurement | The 2S1 Gvozdika (Russian: 2С1 «Гвоздика» , " Carnation ") is a Soviet self-propelled howitzer introduced in 1972 and is in service in Russia and other countries as of 2026 . It is based on the MT-LBu multi-purpose chassis, mounting a 122 mm 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU 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 protected and has infrared night-vision capability.[source]2S1 Gvozdika · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The 2S1 was developed in Kharkiv , Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic . 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 and a fume extractor . It is capable of firing HE (high explosive), leaflet , HE/RAP , armor-piercing HE, flechette and chemical rounds.[source]2S1 Gvozdika · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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 battlefield observation system and the ability to fire the Kitolov-2M guided ammunition. One unit, the 21st Guards Motor Rifle Brigade in Totskoye , is currently being equipped with the system.[source]2S1 Gvozdika · Variants / Russia; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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 15,200 to 22,000 m (9.4 to 13.7 mi). 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 introduced in service with the Serbian Army.[source]2S1 Gvozdika · Variants / Serbia; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 2S15 Norov – A prototype tank destroyer equipped with a radar-based fire control system and a 100 mm gun.[source]2S1 Gvozdika · Variants / Soviet Union; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Kevlar-E – Infantry fighting vehicle based on the 2S1 platform, equipped with Shturm remote weapon station and room for 6 passengers in addition to the 3 crew. The original 220 kW (300 hp) V8 diesel engine has been replaced with a 310 kW (420 hp) diesel engine produced by Caterpillar , Cummins or Deutz , increasing the maximum road speed to 70 km/h (43 mph). The vehicle is amphibious and has air conditioning, a fire detection and suppression system, an NBC 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 .[source]2S1 Gvozdika · Variants / Ukraine; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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.[source]2S1 Gvozdika · Variants / Ukraine; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | The M119 howitzer is a lightweight 105 mm howitzer , used by the United States Army . It is the American licensed version of the British L119 light gun . The M119 is typically towed by the M1097 or M1152 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) , and can be easily airlifted by helicopter , or airdropped by parachute .[source]M119 howitzer · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The howitzer was designed and produced by the British Royal Ordnance Factories as the L118 light gun . In the L118 configuration, the 105 mm ammunition is cased separate loading ammunition. The L118 entered service with the British Army in 1976 and is used by parachute and commando field artillery regiments. It saw combat during the Falklands War , where the 30 guns in action fired up to 400 rounds per gun per day, mostly at "charge super"—i.e., the most powerful propellant charge available.[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The L119 is the L118 reconfigured to fire NATO -standard 105 mm semi-fixed ammunition .[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The redesigned system operates the same, but modifies and simplifies some components, including a new buffer and recuperator with a majority of the components removed, and adds the Suspension Lockout System (SLOS) that fixes recoil length at 25 in (64 cm), which removes variable-recoil hardware, reduces stress on the carriage, and lowers buffer rod forces; the new system reduces cost, the system consists of 124 parts and the redesign will reduce that number by 40 percent to 75 parts and reusing 47 parts will consist of 65 percent for the current system, therefore only needing to manufacturing 28 new parts with overall weight savings of 45 lb (20 kg).[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage |
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| Manufacturer | Huta Stalowa Wola[source]Polish production · 2S1 Goździk | Joint Manufacturing Technology Center of Rock Island Arsenal[source] |
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| Sights | — | 3 × M90A2 telescope, M137A1 panoramic telescope[source] |
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| Reported operators |
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Charge 7: 17,500 m (10.9 mi) Charge 8 (with RAP): 19,500 m (12.1 mi)[source]
Maximum: 8 rpm for 3 minutes Sustained: 3 rpm for 30 minutes[source]
with M67 propelling charges: M1 (HE) – High Explosive projectile, range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi), 2.1 kg of explosive filling M60 (WP) – White Phosphorus smoke generating projectile, range: 15.1 km (9.4 mi) (current variant: M60A2) M84 (HC) – Hexachloroethane smoke generating projectile, range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) (current variant: 105 mm M84A1) M314 (VL) – Visible Light illuminating projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi) (current variant: M314A3) M444 (APICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) M916 (DPICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) M927 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 16.5 km (10.3 mi) M1064 (IR) – Infrared illuminating projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi) M1130 (HE PFF BB) – High Explosive Pre-Formed Fragments Base Bleed projectile – range: 13.0 km (8.1 mi)[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
with M176 propelling charges: M548 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 15.1 km (9.4 mi)[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
with M200 propelling charge: M760 (HE) – High Explosive projectile, range: 14.0 km (8.7 mi) M915 (DPICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 14.1 km (8.8 mi)[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
with M219 propelling charge: M913 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi)[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
with M350 propelling charges: M1130A1 (HE PFF BB) – High Explosive Pre-Formed Fragments Base Bleed projectile, range 17.0 km (10.6 mi)[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage