Russia tests new Lotos self-propelled artillery system six years after planned mass production
Russia's Kalashnikov concern says the 120mm Lotos self-propelled artillery system is undergoing state trials, though it was initially expected to enter mass production in 2020.
Russia's weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov has announced that the new 120mm self-propelled artillery system Lotos is currently undergoing state trials. The system was developed by the Central Research Institute for Precision Engineering (TsNIITochMash) in Moscow Oblast. According to the War&Sanctions portal, the institute is under sanctions imposed by Ukraine, Switzerland and the European Union. It is part of the state corporation Rostec and is involved in producing 152mm Krasnopol guided artillery munitions.
Kalashnikov says the Lotos is moving through state trials as scheduled, having completed buoyancy tests at a hydrodynamic test facility. Russian officials claim the system's performance was evaluated at relative humidity levels of up to 100 percent, with no decline in its tactical and technical characteristics. It was also reportedly tested for six hours at temperatures ranging from +60°C to -60°C.
The Russian side further claims the Lotos has a maximum firing range with high-explosive fragmentation shells that is 1.5 times greater than that of the Nona-SM self-propelled artillery system. The vehicle can be air-dropped from military transport aircraft and is said to provide protection against radiation in the event of a nuclear explosion.
Ukraine's Defense Express, however, notes that Russia had planned to begin trials of the Lotos in 2019 and launch mass production in 2020. Russian officials repeatedly announced the start of acceptance trials, but in 2024 the system was sent back for a second round of state trials.
The Lotos was developed using the chassis and components of the BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle. It weighs 18 tonnes, has a top speed of up to 70 km/h and a firing range of at least 13 km.
Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda reported that Russia had patented a new coastal self-propelled artillery system based on a 130mm naval gun. The Russian Navy has also begun equipping its warships with the Peroed-M counter-UAV system, previously used as a trench-based electronic warfare system.
