D-30 howitzer (2A18)

A Soviet 122 mm towed howitzer distinguished by its three-leg carriage and 360-degree traverse, widely exported and still heavily used by Russia and Ukraine.

Overview

The D-30, designated 2A18 by the Soviet military, is a 122 mm towed howitzer introduced in 1960 as the successor to the Second World War-era M-30. Its defining feature is a tripod carriage that permits 360-degree traverse after emplacement, giving the weapon an unusually broad field of fire for towed artillery of its generation. The standard maximum range is approximately 15.3-15.4 km, increasing to 21.9 km with rocket-assisted projectiles, according to the D-30 technical and service history.

The gun combines a relatively low combat weight of 3.21 tonnes with simple construction, separate-loading ammunition and a maximum stated rate of fire of 10-12 rounds per minute. It has served with more than 60 countries and remains in operational use despite being outranged by many modern 152 mm and 155 mm systems. The D-30 is particularly prominent in the Russia-Ukraine war, where both armies operate inherited, donated or reactivated guns and have sustained substantial equipment losses.

🔒 The full D-30 howitzer (2A18) file is for BattlePolicy Pro members. Below the line: development history, design and capabilities, variants, the combat record, advantages and limitations, comparable systems, outlook, the full specifications table, our sourcing, and the analyst assessment — procurement, suppliers and the BattlePolicy verdict. Unlock the full file with BattlePolicy Pro →