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.
| 2S9 Nona | |
|---|---|
 2S9 Nona-S 120 mm self-propelled mortar, 2016 | |
| Type | Air-droppable self-propelled mortar |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1981–present |
| Used by | see Operators |
| Wars | Soviet-Afghan War Russo-Georgian War Syrian Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | TSNIITOCHMASH |
| Designed | 1974–1980 |
| Manufacturer | Motovilikha Plants |
| Produced | 1979–1989 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.7 t (8.6 long tons; 9.6 short tons) |
| Length | 6.02 m (19.8 ft) |
| Barrel length | 1.8 or 2.88 m (5 ft 11 in or 9 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.63 m (8 ft 8 in) |
| Height | 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Caliber | 120 mm |
| Elevation | -4 to +80 degrees |
| Traverse | 70 degrees |
| Rate of fire | 10 rpm, max; 4 rpm, sustained |
| Effective firing range | 8.8 km (5.5 mi) (conventional); 12.8 km (8.0 mi) (extended) |
| Armor | 15 mm (0.59 in) max |
Main armament | 120 mm 2A60 mortar |
| Engine | 5D20 Diesel 180 kW (240 hp) |
| Power/weight | 20.2 kW (27.1 hp) per tonne |
| Payload capacity | 40-60 rounds |
| Suspension | torsion |
| Ground clearance | 450 mm (18 in) |
| Fuel capacity | 400 L (88 imp gal; 110 US gal) |
Operational range | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (37 mph) (road); 9 km/h (5.6 mph) (water) |
Description
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).
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. In August 2022, Ukraine's armed forces claimed to use four captured Russian 2S9 against Russian forces. In November 2022, a 2S23-SVK Nona was photographed in Ukrainian service. It was reportedly captured from Russian forces and took months to refit.
On 26 March 2024, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russia 2S9 Nona 120 mm mortar with a GLSDB and left another “burning” in Zaporizhzhia.
Variants
Variants of the 120 mm Nona mortar:
- 2S23 Nona-SVK – BTR-80-based chassis mounting a 2A60 mortar, a variant of the 2A50.
- 2B16 Nona-K – A towed version. Fitted with a muzzle brake.
- 2S31 Vena – Is a similar concept based on the BMP-3 chassis. Longer barrel for increased range.
- 2S17-2 Nona-SV – A BRM-1K with a 2S9 Nona turret, in use by the Ukrainian Ground Forces.
Operators
Current operators
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- Azerbaijan: 18 2S9
- Belarus: 18 2B23 Nona-M1
- Kyrgyzstan: 12 2S9
- Moldova: 9 2S9
- Russia: 446 (excluding 500 2S9 in store in an unknown condition): 280 2S9 Nona-S, 42 2S23 Nona-SVK and 124 2B16 Nona-K
- Syria - Quantity unknown
- Turkmenistan: 17 2S9
- Ukraine: 2 2B16 and 40 2S9. 2S9 and 2B16 versions have been used by both sides during Russo-Ukrainian War
- Uzbekistan: 54 2S9
- Venezuela - 18 Nona SVK, ordered 2009, delivered 2011–2012. 13 in service as of 2016[update].
Former operators
External links
- "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
References
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857438352.