MOSCOW, Russia (BulgarianMilitary.com) – Russia is ready to start updating its artillery weapons, Pion and Tulpan, as the first step will be a modernization of the projectiles used for the howitzers and the mortars in question, learned BulgarianMilitary.com

“I think if the military supports this proposal and agree on the technical characteristics and requirements, we are ready to proceed with the development” – reported Deputy General Director of Tehmash, Alexander Kochkin.

Currently, the Russian army uses ammunitions for Pion and Tulpan developed and manufactured in the 1980s. According to Kochkin, the new projectiles for the artillery weapons will be made with quite different explosive compounds, from those used so far, which will increase the power of the projectiles. They are also ready to integrate new multifunctional fuses that will allow different functions to be performed at the same time.

The upgrading of the Tulpan mortar has already begun and is expected to end in 2020. Up to now, the self-propelled artillery mortar is with new integrated surveillance and communication equipment, radios and an anti-nuclear defense system. Moreover, it is expected that Tulpan will be integrated with additional armament.

Tulpan has the international fame as of one of the most powerful artillery weapons, developed in the distant 1972 for destruction of buildings and weapons, as its baptism of fire was during the Soviet-Afghan War in the same year.

In 2019, it is expected to be completed and the modernization of the 203 mm self-propelled howitzer Pion. It will receive exactly the same equipment as the Tulpan, but in addition it will have and capabilities for real-time data processing. Pion was developed in 1975 in the former Soviet Union, and the purpose of the self-propelled howitzer is to provide troops reinforcement and facilities destruction at a tactical depth of 47 km.

About Tehmash

The Scientific-Production Concern Mechanical Engineering or Tehmash is established in 2011 by the Russian state-owned company Rostec. The main business activity of the company is directly related to the technological development and the serial delivery of ammunitions for provision of the combat capabilities. In the company’s product range are included ammunitions for the ground, air and naval forces, as well as, missiles with various range of action, including anti-aircraft, deterrent and shock missiles.

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Source: RIA Novosti