2S9 Nona

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 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 - of steel plate at up to 1 km.

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. In June 2024 Ukraine used a drone to destroy a 2S9 Nona that had been equipped with turtle tank style add on armour.

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

• : 18 2S9

• : 18 2B23 Nona-M1The Military Balance, 2022, p.186

• : 12 2S9

• : 9 2S9

• : 446 (excluding 500 2S9 in store in an unknown condition): 280 2S9 Nona-S, 42 2S23 Nona-SVK and 124 2B16 Nona-K

• • Quantity unknown

• : 17 2S9

• : 2 2B16 and 40 2S9. 2S9 and 2B16 versions have been used by both sides during Russo-Ukrainian War

• : 54 2S9

• • 18 Nona SVK, ordered 2009, delivered 2011–2012. 13 in service .

Former operators

• Iraq

References

References

1. Arg. (n.d.). 2S9 Nona-S. Military. Retrieved January 8, 2025, from [https://web.archive.org/web/20230228125936if_/http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s9_nona_s.htm 2S9 Nona-S ]
2. Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 {{ISBN. 0-7106-1542-6{{Page needed. (March 2017)
3. "The Russian BMD-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle - TankNutDave.com".
4. Marat Kenzhetaev. (1998). "Self Propelled Artillery and Mortars". MIPT Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies.
5. 2B16 NONA-K, Army Guide, retrieved 16/02/2021
6. {{usurped
7. Manning, Joshua. (12 July 2022). "WATCH: Ukraine destroy Russian Nona-K guns with M777 Howitzer".
8. (2022-08-01). "Ukraine's Fighters Apply Trophy 2S9 Nona Self-Propelled Artillery Gun to Destroy russia's Armor (Video)".
9. Campbell, Joseph. (2022-11-04). "Ukrainian troops fire on Russians with captured weapons near key city".
10. (27 March 2024). "Ukraine forces use GLSDB precision guided bomb to destroy Russian 2S Nona-S mortar carriers".
11. Altman, Howard. (22 June 2024). "Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Now Launching Kalibr Cruise Missiles From The Sea Of Azov". The War zone.
12. "2S23 Nona-SVK 120mm Self-Propelled Gun System".
13. "2S31 Vena 120mm Self-Propelled Gun".
14. "Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine".
15. "Ukrainian Version of the Nona Self-Propelled Mortar On the BMP Chassis Went Into Series (Video)".
16. "Syria Rearms".
17. The Military Balance, 2022, p.210
18. (November 2014). "Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014". [[Armament Research Services]].
19. "Trade Registers".
20. (19 October 2017). "U.S. Marine Corps School Of Infantry SOI Complete Training Materials". Jeffrey Frank Jones.