MOSCOW, April 5. /TASS/. Russia’s state tech corporation Rostec has delivered a new batch of upgraded howitzers to Russian troops, the Rostec press office reported on Friday.

"Today we have delivered a batch of upgraded 2S19M1 Msta-S self-propelled guns to the Russian army. The gun has a high fire rate of up to 8 rounds per minute. In addition, the weapon is outfitted with advanced control systems that help use precision-guided munitions, in particular, Krasnopol shells that have proved to be effective in the special military operation," the press office quoted Rostec Industrial Director for the Armaments Cluster Bekkhan Ozdoyev as saying.

"In addition, 2S3M Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers have arrived for the troops. The weapons have been upgraded under the defense procurement plan," he added.

2S19M1 Msta-S and 2S3M Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers are designed to destroy and suppress enemy artillery and mortar batteries, tanks, anti-tank weapons, firepower, electronic warfare systems, armor, command posts, air defense and ant-ballistic missile defense capabilities, wipe out field fortifications, deny maneuvers by adversary infantry and tank reserves.

The upgraded Msta-S howitzer is outfitted with digital automated guidance and fire control equipment that helps integrate it into a reconnaissance-strike system.

"Thanks to that, the self-propelled weapon can promptly deliver a strike after a target is spotted by an UAV or other reconnaissance capabilities. This substantially improves the artillery system’s efficiency," the press office explained.

On its part, the upgraded 2S3M Akatsiya turret-type howitzer is mounted on a fast-moving light armored tracked chassis. The artillery gun features high mobility and cross country capability, it said.