Russia tests new Lotos self-propelled artillery system six years after planned mass production

The Lotos (Lotus), a new 120mm self-propelled artillery system, is undergoing state trials in Russia.

Source: Kalashnikov Concern JSC, a Russian defence manufacturing holding company

Details: The self-propelled artillery system was developed by the Central Research Institute for Precision Engineering (TsNIITochMash) in Moscow Oblast. According to the War&Sanctions portal, the institute is subject to sanctions imposed by Ukraine, Switzerland and the European Union. It is part of the Rostec state corporation and is involved in the production of 152mm Krasnopol guided artillery munitions.

According to the Kalashnikov Concern, the Lotos is progressing through state trials "on schedule", having completed buoyancy tests at a hydrodynamic testing facility alongside other testing phases.

"Its performance was tested at relative humidity levels of up to 100%, with no deterioration in its tactical and technical characteristics, as well as after six hours of exposure to temperatures ranging from +60°C to -60°C," the Russians said.

The Russians claim the Lotos has a maximum range with high-explosive fragmentation shells 1.5 times greater than that of the Nona-SM self-propelled artillery system. They also say it can be air-dropped from military transport aircraft and is capable of "providing protection against radiation in the event of a nuclear explosion".

Meanwhile, Defense Express, a Ukrainian military news outlet, reported that Russia had planned to begin trials of the Lotos in 2019 and launch mass production in 2020. However, Russian officials subsequently announced the "start of acceptance trials" on multiple occasions before the system was returned for a second round of state trials in 2024.

According to the Russians, the Lotos self-propelled artillery system, developed using the chassis and components of the BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle, weighs 18 tonnes, has a top speed of up to 70 km/h and a firing range of at least 13 km.

Background: Ukrainska Pravda recently reported that Russia has patented a new coastal self-propelled artillery system based on a 130mm naval gun. UP also reported that the Russian Navy has begun equipping its warships with the Peroed-M counter-UAV system, which had previously been used as a trench-based electronic warfare system.

Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.