2S7 Pion

A tracked 203 mm self-propelled heavy gun developed for long-range counter-battery and strategic bombardment, among the largest-caliber self-propelled artillery pieces ever fielded. Upgraded 2S7M Malka examples remain in reserve and limited active Russian use.

In service since 1975 · 4 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

km/h

650

km range

203

mm gun

46,500

Several performance figures for Russia-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: No public unit cost

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Russian state channel

Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.

Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)

Fielded & proven

Established · 4 operators

In service since 1975. Status: legacy · ~500 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 50 km/h

Bottom 3% of artillery systems
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 650 km

Stronger than 74% of artillery systems
Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability.: 2 rpm

Bottom 10% of artillery systems

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 203 mm 2A44 gun
Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better — ammunition commonality matters.: 203 mm
Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.: 4

Bottom 9% of artillery systems
Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach.: 47.5 km

Stronger than 59% of artillery systems

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 46,500 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 7

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: V-46-1 diesel
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.: 780 hp

Stronger than 64% of artillery systems
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Diesel

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 500

Stronger than 52% of artillery systems
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 4

Stronger than 49% of artillery systems

Specifications compiled from public Uralvagonzavod and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

Compare with rivals