2S9_Nona

2S9 Nona

2S9 Nona

Air-droppable self-propelled mortar

The 2S9 NONA (Russian: Новейшее Орудие Наземной Артилерии, lit. 'Newest Ordnance of Ground Artillery') is a self-propelled and air-droppable 120 mm mortar designed in the Soviet Union, which entered service in 1981. The 2S9 chassis is designated the S-120 and based on the aluminium hull of the BTR-D airborne multi-purpose tracked armoured personnel carrier. More generally, the 120 mm mortar is referred to as the Nona, with the 2S9 also known as the Nona-S. Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that over 1,000 2S9 were built.[3]

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Description

2S9 Nona-S of the 106th Guards Airborne Division in firing position during field exercises, 2018

The 2S9 Nona-S is an amphibious vehicle that can be propelled through the water by two rear water-jets. It is operated by a four-man crew comprising a commander, a driver/mechanic, a gunner, and a loader. The hull interior is separated into a command compartment, a fighting compartment and an engine compartment. A welded steel turret is located at the middle of the hull. The two-man turret has hatches for the gunner and loader respectively.

The 2S9 utilizes a 120 mm 2A51 mortar with a 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) barrel. The weapon is actually a hybrid of a mortar and howitzer, being an unconventional design that lacks a direct NATO counterpart. It is a rifled, breech-loaded weapon capable of firing HE (high explosive), white phosphorus and smoke rounds, as well as laser-guided munitions like KM-8 Gran. It can engage in indirect and direct fire, as well as targeting armoured vehicles; its armour-piercing rounds can penetrate the equivalent of 600–650 mm (24–26 in) of steel plate at up to 1 km (0.62 mi).[4][1][5][6]

Operational history

They have been deployed by Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In July 2022, video on social media purportedly shows Ukrainian forces using M777 to destroy a towed 2B16 Nona-K in Hoptivka on the border with Russia.[7] In August 2022, Ukraine's armed forces claimed to use four captured Russian 2S9 against Russian forces.[8] In November 2022, a 2S23-SVK Nona was photographed in Ukrainian service. It was reportedly captured from Russian forces and took months to refit.[9]

On 26 March 2024, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russia 2S9 Nona 120 mm mortar with a GLSDB and left another “burning” in Zaporizhzhia.[10]

Variants

Variants of the 120 mm Nona mortar:

  • 2S23 Nona-SVK – BTR-80-based chassis mounting a 2A60 mortar, a variant of the 2A50.[11]
  • 2B16 Nona-K – A towed version. Fitted with a muzzle brake.[5]
  • 2S31 Vena – Is a similar concept based on the BMP-3 chassis. Longer barrel for increased range.[12]
  • 2S17-2 Nona-SV – A BRM-1K with a 2S9 Nona turret, in use by the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[13][14]

Operators

Current operators

2S9 Nona-S of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 2018

Former operators

  • "2S9 Anona (Anemone)- 120mm SPH/Mortar". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  • Walkaround 2S9 Nona from Kremenchug
Map of 2S9 operators in blue with former operators in red
2B16 Nona-K
Nona-SVK
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2S9 Nona.

References

  1. [1]
    Marat Kenzhetaev (1998). "Self Propelled Artillery and Mortars". www.armscontrol.ru. MIPT Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  2. [2]
    Arg. (n.d.). 2S9 Nona-S. Military. Retrieved November 13, 2022, from http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s9_nona_s.htm
  3. [3]
    Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0-7106-1542-6[page needed]
  4. [4]
    "The Russian BMD-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle - TankNutDave.com". Archived from the original on 9 October 2018.
  5. [5]
    2B16 NONA-K, Army Guide, retrieved 16/02/2021
  6. [6]
    2S9 Nona, Military Today, retrieved 16/02/2021
  7. [7]
    Manning, Joshua (12 July 2022). "WATCH: Ukraine destroy Russian Nona-K guns with M777 Howitzer". euroweeklynews.com. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  8. [8]
    "Ukraine's Fighters Apply Trophy 2S9 Nona Self-Propelled Artillery Gun to Destroy russia's Armor (Video)". defence-ua.com. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  9. [9]
    Campbell, Joseph (4 November 2022). "Ukrainian troops fire on Russians with captured weapons near key city". reuters.com. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  10. [10]
    "Ukraine forces use GLSDB precision guided bomb to destroy Russian 2S Nona-S mortar carriers". Army Recognition. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  11. [11]
    "2S23 Nona-SVK 120mm Self-Propelled Gun System". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  12. [12]
    "2S31 Vena 120mm Self-Propelled Gun". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  13. [13]
    "Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine".
  14. [14]
    "Ukrainian Version of the Nona Self-Propelled Mortar On the BMP Chassis Went Into Series (Video)".
  15. [15]
    The Military Balance 2016, p. 180.
  16. [16]
    The Military Balance, 2022, p.186
  17. [17]
    The Military Balance 2016, p. 187.
  18. [18]
    The Military Balance 2016, p. 188.
  19. [19]
    The Military Balance 2016, pp. 190–200.
  20. [20]
    "Syria Rearms". Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  21. [21]
    The Military Balance, 2022, p.210
  22. [22]
    The Military Balance 2016, pp. 205–206.
  23. [23]
    Ferguson, Jonathan; Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (November 2014). Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014. Research Report 3. Armament Research Services. pp. 50, 70. ISBN 978-0-9924624-3-7. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  24. [24]
    The Military Balance 2016, p. 491.
  25. [25]
    The Military Balance 2016, p. 208.
  26. [26]
    "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  27. [27]
    The Military Balance 2016, p. 416.
  28. [28]
    Jones, Jeffrey, ed. (19 October 2017). U.S. Marine Corps School Of Infantry SOI Complete Training Materials. Jeffrey Frank Jones. p. LIV. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
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