Koalitsiya-SV

Russia’s next-generation 152 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer—a fully automated, crew-isolated design with a claimed reach of 70 km and beyond, intended to replace the 2S19 Msta-S but still in limited introduction and untested in mass combat.

Overview

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV (Coalition-SV) is a tracked self-propelled howitzer under development by Uralvagonzavod / Uraltransmash for the Russian Ground Forces. It pairs a 152 mm L/52 cannon with a full-autoloader inside an unmanned turret, while the crew of three operates from an isolated armoured capsule at the front. The design aims to deliver higher rates of fire, longer range, and better survivability than the current 2S19 Msta-S fleet. As of early 2026, however, the system remains in low-rate introduction, with no verified mass deployment to the war in Ukraine.

Development

Russia began work on a next-generation SP howitzer in the early 2010s, initially unveiling a twin-barrel demonstrator that was later cancelled in favour of the single-barrel 2S35. A first small batch was reported delivered around May 2020, according to Army Technology, and a handful have since been handed over to training establishments. Several secondary sources cite a service entry date of 2023, though no serial-production figures have been publicly confirmed; estimates put the total produced at only a dozen vehicles Military Watch Magazine. The programme remains constrained by industrial capacity and Western sanctions on precision components.

Design & capabilities

The 2S35 is built around a T-90-derived tracked chassis with a front-mounted crew compartment isolated from the turret. The fully automated, unmanned turret houses the 2A88 152 mm L/52 ordnance and a bustle-mounted autoloader that feeds from a ready magazine; the manufacturer claims a rate of fire of around eight rounds per minute Weaponsystems.net. The fire-control system is fully digital, supporting multiple-round simultaneous impact (MRSI) engagements.

Standard high-explosive rounds reach roughly 30 km, and rocket-assisted projectiles extend that to about 40 km. The widely publicised figure of ~70 km is a Russian state claim tied to specialised long-range guided munitions and remains unverified by independent sources Army Recognition. Precision options include the laser-guided Krasnopol family and other 152 mm smart rounds. Survivability is enhanced by the crew capsule, automatic fire-and-displace capability, and the lack of a human-occupied turret.

Combat record / operational use

There is no publicly established record of the Koalitsiya-SV being employed in sustained frontline combat. As of February 2026, the most concrete evidence points to institutional introduction: vehicles have been assigned to the Saratov Artillery School for crew training and doctrinal familiarisation Meta-Defense. Open-source intelligence has not confirmed any battlefield losses or significant operational sorties in Ukraine, indicating the system is still being held back for evaluation or reserved for future large-scale operations.

Advantages

• Fully automated firing cycle with low crew count (3) in an armoured capsule.
• Unmanned turret reduces vulnerability to top-attack munitions.
• Claimed long-range precision-fire capability (70+ km with developmental rounds) — if realised — would out-reach most NATO SP guns.
• Tracked mobility derived from the T-90, offering good cross-country performance.
• Designed to integrate into Russia’s reconnaissance-fire network for rapid counter-battery.

Drawbacks / limitations

• Production is extremely low-rate; fleet size remains in the low dozens, limiting battlefield impact.
• The maximal range figure is an unverified state claim; standard rounds deliver performance comparable to the 2S19.
• Operates exclusively in the 152 mm calibre, not the 155 mm standard adopted by all modern NATO and Chinese howitzers, limiting future munition interoperability.
• Heavier and more complex than the 2S19, straining an industrial base already struggling with sanctions and wartime demand.
• Untested in high-intensity drone-saturated combat; the unmanned turret still presents a large radar/thermal signature.

Counterparts

• M109 Paladin (USA)
• PLZ-05 (China)

Outlook

The Koalitsiya-SV embodies Moscow’s ambition to field a modern, crew-survivable artillery piece capable of deep counter-battery fires. However, razor-thin production numbers, sanctions-hampered electronics, and an unproven combat record mean it will remain a niche capability for years. Even if serial production ramps up, the system will have to prove itself against the same drone-cued counter-battery threat that has savaged Russian towed and older SP guns in Ukraine. In the near term, the 2S19 Msta-S and the cheaper wheeled 2S43 Malva will carry the bulk of Russia’s artillery burden.

Key specifications

Sources

1. Army Recognition — 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV profile. https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/artillery-vehicles-and-weapons/self-propelled-howitzers/2s35-koalitsiya-sv
2. Weaponsystems.net — 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV. https://weaponsystems.net/system/836-2S35+Koalitsiya-SV
3. Meta-Defense — “The Russian 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV Joins the Saratov Artillery School.” https://meta-defense.fr/2026/02/26/2s35-koalitsiya-sv-saratov-artillery-school/
4. Military Watch Magazine — “Russia Faces Fast Growing South Korean K9 Artillery Arsenal.” https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-growing-skorean-k9-borders
5. Army Technology — Projects A-Z (2S35 first batch May 2020). https://www.army-technology.com/projects-a-z/