MOSCOW, October 26. /TASS/. The state tech giant Rostec has delivered the first batch of the latest Malva self-propelled artillery guns to Russian troops, the Rostec press office reported on Thursday.

"Rostec has dispatched the first batch of 152mm Malva self-propelled artillery guns to the troops. The latest artillery gun is characterized by its mobility and can deliver automatic fire with all types of munitions and operate in the barrage mode when several munitions fired reach the target simultaneously," the press office said in a statement.

The advanced motorized artillery system features large technical potential and is less costly in operation compared to tracked artillery guns. In addition, the Malva requires less time for its deployment and withdrawal from a firing position and for taking aim at a target, Rostec said.

"This is an advanced and powerful weapon that can wipe out practically any targets with high-explosive fragmentation munitions at a range of over 24 km. The howitzer features a fire rate of over 7 rounds per minute and has an ammunition load of up to 30 rounds," the press office quoted Rostec Industrial Director for the Conventional Armaments, Munitions and Special Chemistry Cluster Bekkhan Ozdoyev as saying.

Russia’s Defense Ministry signed a state contract at the Army 2023 international arms show in August on the delivery of 2S43 Malva howitzers to Russian troops. The 152mm Malva motorized artillery system engineered by the Burevestnik Central Research Institute is mounted on the 8x8 wheel chassis of a BAZ vehicle and has a five-member crew.

The Malva motorized howitzer can cover a distance of 1,000 km on public roads without refueling thanks to its all-wheel drive and a powerful diesel engine and has a cross-country capacity. The howitzer can be placed into an Il-76 military transport plane. The Malva is more maneuverable than self-propelled tracked guns, features greater technical potential and is less costly in operation.