Ukrainian 2S7 Pion shoots with American 203mm rounds

Ukrainian artillery has received American M106 203mm (8-inch) high explosive rounds for 2S7 Pion self-propelled guns.

Photos of these rounds in the Ukrainian army were published on social media.

The shells are delivered as part of military assistance to allow further operations in the war against Russian invaders of large-caliber artillery systems in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced a new security assistance package on June 9.

In particular, the package included 203mm artillery rounds. However, the exact type of ammunition that the Ukrainian 2S7 Pion would receive was not specified.

Now it became known that those were M106 high-explosive rounds from the arsenal of the American M110 203.2 mm self-propelled howitzer.

The weight of the projectile was 91 kilograms, the initial flight speed was 594 m/s, and the range was 16,800 meters.

During the Russian full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022, the Ukrainian gunners have been actively using 2S7 Pion 203mm self-propelled guns to neutralize enemy armor and equipment.

However, for more than a year of active hostilities, the stocks of Soviet-made rounds to these large-caliber artillery systems are running out, so the allies who provide military assistance to Ukraine have decided to help with the replenishment of the 203mm rounds.

The 2S7 Pion is a Soviet 203mm self-propelled gun, which is designed to destroy especially important objects and enemy fortifications.

The main weapon is the 2А44 203mm gun, which has a maximum rate of fire of 1.5 shots per minute (for the upgraded version it is up to 2.5 shots per minute). Gun barrel is a free pipe connected to a breech. Gun gate is located in the breech. Gun barrel and recoil devices are in the cradle of the wobbly part.

The undercarriage of the 2S7 is made on the basis of the Т-80 MBT and consists of seven pairs of double charred support rollers and six pairs of single support rollers.