View source for 2S3 Akatsiya

{{Short description|Soviet 152 mm self-propelled howitzer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2011}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = 2S3 (SO-152)
| image              = 2S3 Akatsiya 3261.jpg
| caption            = 2S3 Akatsiya
| origin             = [[Soviet Union]]
| type               = [[Self-propelled artillery]]
 <!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = yes
| is_artillery       = yes
| is_vehicle         = yes
 <!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1971–present
| used_by            = see [[2S3 Akatsiya#Operators|Operators]]
| wars               = [[Soviet–Afghan War]]<br/>[[Iran–Iraq War]]<br/>[[Gulf War]]<br/>[[Tajikistani Civil War]]<br/>[[First Chechen War]]<br/>[[Second Chechen War]]<br/>[[2008 South Ossetia War|South Ossetia War]]<br/>[[First Libyan Civil War]]<br/>[[Second Libyan Civil War]]<br/>[[Syrian Civil War]]<br/>[[War in Donbas]]<br/>[[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]]<br/>[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
 <!-- Production history -->
| designer           = Petrov Design Bureau
| design_date        = {{Start date and age|1967}}
| manufacturer       = [[Uraltransmash]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1967–1993 (2S3, 2S3M, and 2S3M1)
| number             = 
| variants           = see [[2S3 Akatsiya#Variants|Variants]]
 <!-- General specifications -->| spec_label         =
| weight             = Maximum: 28 [[metric tons]]
| length             = Total: {{convert|8.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<br/>Hull: {{convert|7.765|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}
| part_length        = 
| width              = {{convert|3.25|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}
| height             = {{convert|3.05|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}<br/>{{convert|2.615|m|ftin|abbr=on}} with no machine gun
| crew               = 4
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = 
| caliber            = 
| barrels            = 
| action             = 
| rate               = Sustained: 1 &nbsp;rpm max: 4 rpm
| velocity           = 
| range              = 
| max_range          = Conventional: {{convert|18.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}<br/>[[Rocket Assisted Projectile|RAP]]: {{convert|24|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| feed               = 
| sights             = <!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = semi-automatic vertical wedge
| recoil             = 
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = −4° to +60°
| traverse           = 360°
 <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->| armour             = 15 mm (hull)<br/>30&nbsp;mm (turret and hull front)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.museum-tank.ru/IIIwar/tables3/2c30.html |title=2С3 Акация<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=May 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210090831/http://www.museum-tank.ru/IIIwar/tables3/2c30.html |archive-date=December 10, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| primary_armament   = 152.4&nbsp;mm D-22 howitzer L/27<br/>(46 rounds, maximum)<ref name="http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml">{{Cite web |url=http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml |title=152-мм самоходная гаубица 2С3 "Акация" (2S3 Akatsiya 152 mm self-propelled artillery system)<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=April 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513071558/http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="http://www.wartechnic.ru/rus/ground/selfpropelledartillery/2c3/teh.shtml">{{Cite web |url=http://www.wartechnic.ru/rus/ground/selfpropelledartillery/2c3/teh.shtml |title=2С3 Акация – Описание<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=May 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625054440/http://www.wartechnic.ru/rus/ground/selfpropelledartillery/2c3/teh.shtml |archive-date=June 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| secondary_armament = 7.62&nbsp;mm remotely controlled [[PKT machine gun|PKT]] tank machine gun<br/>(1,500 rounds)<ref name="http://www.wartechnic.ru/rus/ground/selfpropelledartillery/2c3/teh.shtml"/>
| engine             = V-59<br/>(12-cylinder 4-stroke V-shaped water-cooled diesel)<ref name="http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml"/>
| engine_power       = 520 hp (382.7&nbsp;kW) at 2,000&nbsp;rpm<ref name="http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml"/>
| transmission       = mechanical double-flow, planetary gear-gearbox unit
| payload_capacity   = 
| fuel_capacity      = 830 liters<ref name="http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml"/>
| pw_ratio           = 18.9 hp/t (13.92&nbsp;kW/t)
| suspension         = independent [[torsion bar]]s with hydraulic shock absorbers of 1st and 6th road wheels
| clearance          = {{convert|0.45|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|500|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml"/>
| speed              = On-road: {{convert|63|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}<br/>Off-road: {{convert|45|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name="http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml"/>
}}
The '''SO-152''' (Russian: СО-152), usually known by its [[Main Missile and Artillery Directorate|GRAU]] designation '''2S3''' ({{Langx|ru|2С3}}), is a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] 152.4&nbsp;mm [[self-propelled gun]] developed in 1968, as a response to the American 155&nbsp;mm [[M109 howitzer]]. Development began in 1967, according to the Resolution of the [[Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union]] from July 4, 1967. In 1968, the SO-152 was completed and in 1971 entered service. The fighting vehicle also received the added designation '''Akatsiya''' (Акация), which is Russian for [[Vachellia|Acacia]].

==Description==
Designated '''M1973''' by the [[U.S. Army]], the ''Akatsiya'' is armed with a 152.4&nbsp;mm [[howitzer]] based on the Soviet 152.4&nbsp;mm [[152 mm towed gun-howitzer M1955 (D-20)|D-20]] howitzer. The artillery system was developed at the [[design bureau]] No. 9 of [[Yekaterinburg|Sverdlovsk]]. The factory designation of the howitzer is D-22 and the [[GRAU]] designation, 2A33. The chassis was developed by [[Uraltransmash]].

The driver's and engine-transmission compartments are located in the front part of a hull, the fighting compartment with rotatory turret in middle and rear parts of the hull. The armor is welded [[rolled steel]]. The SPG is equipped with an [[R-123]] radio set, an R-124 intercom, an automatic [[CBRN defense]] system with filtration unit and fire-fighting equipment. The V-59 12-cylinder four-stroke water-cooled diesel engine connects to a mechanical two-speed transmission. The gear box is combined into one block with a [[Epicyclic gearing|planetary steering gear]]. The 2S3 has self-entrenching equipment which allows it to prepare a trench within 20–40 min.

The crew consists of 4–6 men: a driver, a gunner, a loader, a commander, and two ammunition bearers, which are positioned to the rear of the vehicle feeding rounds through two hatches in the hull rear when in masked firing position.

===Armament===
[[File:152mm howitzer D-22 (2A33) for 2S3 Akatsiya.jpg|thumb|left|152.4&nbsp;mm D-22 howitzer, [[Motovilikha Plants]] museum, [[Perm, Russia]]]]

The 152.4&nbsp;mm L/27 howitzer D-22 (2A33) can elevate from −4° to +60° with a turret traverse of a full 360°. Rate of fire is 2.6 – 3.5 rounds/min depending on firing conditions.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The howitzer is equipped with a double-baffle [[muzzle brake]], a semi-automatic vertical wedge breechblock and an ejector. The 2S3 has a periscopic sight for laying the howitzer, and telescopic sight for engaging targets with direct fire. The howitzer has separate type of loading with ammunition (35 rounds, later raised to up to 46) arranged in two mechanized stowages (in the turret and in the hull rear). The ''Akatsiya'' can fire OF-540 and OF-25 [[Shell (projectile)#High-explosive shells|high-explosive]] [[Fragmentation (weaponry)|fragmenting]] (HE-Frag) 43.56&nbsp;kg projectiles (also all types of rounds developed for 152.4&nbsp;mm towed howitzer-guns ML-20 and D-20, and for towed howitzer D-1) at a maximum range of 18.5&nbsp;km depending on used charge or [[rocket-assisted projectile]]s (RAP) to a maximum of 24&nbsp;km. Other projectiles available to the ''Akatsiya'' include BP-540 [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT-FS) with sight distance of 3&nbsp;km and 250&nbsp;mm armor penetration, Br-540B and Br-540 [[armour-piercing ammunition]] (AP-T) with 115–120&nbsp;mm armor penetration at a 1000 m, OF-38 ''Krasnopol'' [[Laser guidance|laser-guided]] rocket-assisted projectiles, S1 illuminating, ZH3 smoke, nuclear (explosive yield of 2 [[TNT equivalent|kilotons]]). Secondary armament consists of a remotely controlled 7.62&nbsp;mm [[PK machine gun]] tank (PKT) on commander's cupola for close range anti-aircraft and self defence.

===Maneuverability===
The ''Akatsiya'' chassis Objekt 303 is based on that of the [[GM chassis#Other types of chassis|Object 123 tracked chassis]]<ref name="jedsite">[http://www.jedsite.info/misc/oscar/obyekt_series/obyekt-series.html Ob'yekt series of experimental armoured vehicles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616194552/http://www.jedsite.info/misc/oscar/obyekt_series/obyekt-series.html |date=June 16, 2008}}, Mike Grif</ref> of the [[2K11 Krug|2K11 ''Krug'']] surface-to-air missile system; it includes six (rather than seven as in the 2K11 ''Krug'') twin rubber-tired road wheels, four rubber-tired return rollers (two single and two twin), front drive sprocket with detachable sprocket rings (lantern-wheel gear) and idler wheel per side. The track is 14.375 m long, 482&nbsp;mm wide and has 115 links. The ''Akatsiya'' can cross 0.7 m high vertical obstacles, 3.0 m wide trenches, 1.05 m fording depth and climb 30° gradients.<ref name="http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml"/><ref name="http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm">{{Cite web |url=http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm |title=Самоходная артиллерийская установка 2С3 "Акация"<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=May 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223011201/http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm |archive-date=December 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> It can be transported by the [[cargo aircraft]] [[An-22]], which can carry two self-propelled howitzers of this type.

===Series production===
Two '''Object 303''' prototypes were built in the end of 1968. Factory tests finished in October 1969, and discovered strong gas contamination of the fighting compartment during intensive gunnery, especially during the use of small charges. As a result, army inspectors did not accept four SO-152s built in summer 1969 for ground tests. The problem of gas contamination was solved, allowing the SO-152 to enter service of the Soviet Army in 1971. The first three serial 2S3s were built by Uraltransmash in the end of 1970, and in 1971 nine were produced. The works received an order for 70 2S3 in 1973. The mass production finished in 1993.

==Variants==
[[File:ParkPatriot2015part6-08.jpg|thumbnail|Rear view]]

* '''2S3 (SO-152)''' – Basic variant, developed in 1968. Produced in 1970–1975. Two modifications used D-11 and D-11M howitzers.
* '''2S3M (SO-152M)''' – Equipped with a mechanized drum-type stowage for 12 rounds, the amount of hatches in rear armored plates of the hull and the turret was reduced, the configuration of those hatches was changed, antenna of R-123 radio set was transferred on a turret top. Ammunition was increased from 40 to 46 rounds (usually consists of 42 OF-540 and OF-25 [[Shell (projectile)#High-explosive shells|HE-Frag]] projectiles, and of 4 BP-540 [[High-explosive anti-tank|HEAT-FS]] projectiles). Much more powerful OF-29 HE-Frag projectiles and OF-38 ''Krasnopol'' laser-guided rocket-assisted projectiles were developed for SO-152M. The modernized howitzer has a designator 2A33. Produced in 1975–1987.
* '''2S3M1 (SO-152M1)''' – Equipped with a command data acquisition and display equipment, and with a new SP-538 sight. OF-38 ''Krasnopol'' laser-guided rocket-assisted projectiles were added to standard ammunition. Produced in 1987–1993. All 2S3s and 2S3Ms were modernized to 2S3M1 level.
* '''2S3M2 (SO-152M2)''' – Modernized variant equipped with the 1V514-1 Mechanizator-M automated fire control system, a satellite navigational system, and Self-defense is improved with the addition of Type 902B Tucha smoke grenade dischargers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/865-2S3+Akatsiya|title=2S3 Akatsiya|website=Weaponsystems.net|accessdate=May 7, 2023}}</ref> The 2S3M2 has a new barrel 152mm  2A33 L/39 caliber howitzer. It has a maximum firing range of 25 km. It can also fire the KBP Krasnopol laser-guided artillery projectile.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_august_2021_global_security_army_industry/belarus_army_receives_upgraded_2s3m_akatsiya_self-propelled_howitzers_from_russia.html|title=Belarus army receives upgraded 2S3M Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers from Russia &#124; Defense News August 2021 Global Security army industry &#124; Defense Security global news industry army year 2021 &#124; Archive News year|website=www.armyrecognition.com|date=August 30, 2021 |accessdate=May 7, 2023}}</ref> Developed in 2000.
* '''2S3M2-155''' – An export-oriented variant of 2S3M2 equipped with a new 155&nbsp;mm M-385 howitzer. Developed in 2000.
* '''2S3M3''' – An experimental variant of 2S3M2 equipped with a further improved fire control system and a modernized howitzer 2A33M that can fire ordnance of a more powerful 2A65 howitzer that equips the [[2S19]].

==Service and combat history==

===Former USSR===
The 2S3 was intended for inventory of artillery regiments of Soviet tank and motor rifle divisions. At first only one gun battalion of each artillery regiment was equipped with the ''Akatsiya'' (18 self-propelled howitzers).

By the end of 1980s however self-propelled artillery regiments of Soviet first echelon tank and motor rifle divisions (e.g. those belonging to the [[Group of Soviet Forces in Germany]]) each had 36 or 54 self-propelled howitzers of this type (2 or 3 gun battalions). So for example the following artillery regiments all had 54 ''Akatsiya'' on their strength:
* 96th self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Borna, Germany|Borna]]) of [[9th Tank Division (Soviet Union)|9th Tank Division]]
* 724th Guards Warsaw self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Neustrelitz]]) of [[16th Guards Tank Division]]
* 400th Red Banner Transylvania self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Bernau bei Berlin]]) of [[90th Guards Tank Division (1957–1985)|90th Guards Tank Division]]
* 1054th Red Banner self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Rathenow]]) of [[21st Motor Rifle Division]] (actual strength: 53)
* 54th Guards Red Banner Poznan self-propelled regiment (stationed in [[Halle, Saxony-Anhalt|Halle]]) of [[27th Guards Motor Rifle Division]]
* 944th Guards Red Banner Chernovtsy-Gniezno self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Leisnig]]) of [[20th Guards Motor Rifle Division]]
* 283rd Red Banner Warsaw self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Olympisches Dorf) of [[35th Motor Rifle Division]]
* 87th Guards Red Banner Poznan self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Gotha (town)|Gotha]]) of [[39th Guards Motor Rifle Division]] (actual strength: 52)
* 199th Guards Red Banner Brandenburg self-propelled regiment (stationed in [[Wismar]]) of [[94th Guards Motor Rifle Division]]
* 693rd Red Banner self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Stendal]]) of [[207th Motor Rifle Division]]

While the regiments below only had 36 Akatsiya:
* 744th Guards Ternopol self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Altengrabow) of [[10th Guards Tank Division]]
* 841st Guards Red Banner Chernovtsy self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Chemnitz]]) of [[11th Tank Division (Soviet Union)|11th Tank Division]]
* 117th self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Mahlwinkel]]) of [[12th Guards Tank Division]] had (actually 34)
* 99th Guards Red Banner Pomerania self-propelled regiment (stationed in [[Magdeburg]]) of [[47th Guards Tank Division]]
* 172nd Guards Red Banner Berlin self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in [[Rudolstadt]]) of [[79th Guards Tank Division]]

And the 286th Guards Red Banner Prague howitzer artillery brigade stationed in [[Potsdam]] was equipped with no less than 72 ''Akatsiya''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vif2ne.ru/nvk/forum/arhprint/213214 |title=ЗГВ по справочнику Ленского<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=June 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503140627/http://www.vif2ne.ru/nvk/forum/arhprint/213214 |archive-date=May 3, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Russia===
[[File:Выстрел САУ «Акация».png|thumb|Akatsiya firing]]
In 2007, the Russian Army had 1,002 2S3 in active service and more than 1,000 in storage, and the [[Russian Marines|Russian Navy (marines)]] had 400 2S3 in active service and more than 600 in storage.<ref name="Akatsiya">{{Cite web|url=http://warfare.be/?lang=&catid=240&linkid=1566|title=Akatsia Self-Propelled Howitzer|website=warfare.be}}</ref> As of now the Akatsiya are used by the following units of the Russian Army or are stationed in following bases (incomplete list):
* [[200th Independent Motor Rifle Brigade|200th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade]] from [[Pechengsky District|Pechenga]] which is a part of the [[Leningrad Military District]] (36 ''Akatsiya'')
* 138th separate motor rifle brigade from Kamenka (near [[Vyborg]]) which is a part of the Leningrad Military District (36 ''Akatsiya'')
* [[2nd Guards Tamanskaya Motor Rifle Division|2nd Guards Taman motor rifle division]] from Alabino (near Moscow) which is a part of the [[Moscow Military District]] (96 ''Akatsiya'' in 3 motor rifle regiments and 1 tank regiment)
* 3rd [[Sormovsky City District|Sormovo]] motor rifle division from [[Mulino (settlement), Nizhny Novgorod Oblast|Mulino]] (near [[Nizhny Novgorod]]) which is a part of the Moscow Military District (96 ''Akatsiya'' in 2 motor rifle regiments and 2 tank regiments)
* [[4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division|4th Guards Kantemirovka tank division]] from [[Naro-Fominsk]] which is a part of the Moscow Military District (95 ''Akatsiya'' in 3 tank regiments and 1 motor rifle regiment)
* 10th Guards Ural-Lvov tank division from [[Boguchar]] (Voronezh Oblast) which is a part of the Moscow Military District (75 ''Akatsiya'' in 2 tank regiments and 1 motor rifle regiment)
* 81st separate motor rifle regiment from [[Samara, Russia|Samara]] which is a part of the [[Volga-Ural Military District]] (25 ''Akatsiya'')
* [[27th Guards Motor Rifle Division|27th Guards motor rifle division]] from [[Totskoye]] which is a part of the Volga-Ural Military District (73 ''Akatsiya'' in 2 motor rifle regiments and 1 tank regiment)
* 19th Red Banner Voronezh-Shumlin motor rifle division from [[Vladikavkaz]] which is a part of the [[North Caucasus Military District]] (16 ''Akatsiya'' in 3 motor rifle regiments)
* 205th separate motor rifle cossack brigade from [[Budyonnovsk]] which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District (12 ''Akatsiya'')
* 136th Guards Uman-Berlin separate motor rifle brigade from [[Buynaksk]] (Dagestan) which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District
* 131st separate motor rifle brigade from [[Maykop]] (Adygea) which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District (24 ''Akatsiya'')
* 33rd separate motor rifle regiment from Prudboy which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District (12 ''Akatsiya'')
* two arsenals of Central Command in [[Perm, Russia|Perm]] (91 ''Akatsiya'')
* The 8th motor rifle brigade from [[Tiraspol]] (Russian operative group in [[Transnistria]]) has 36 ''Akatsiya''.

As of now the ''Akatsiya'' are used by the following units of the Russian Navy or are stationed in following bases (incomplete list):
* 385th storage in Lugovoe (near [[Kaliningrad]]) which belonged to the [[Baltic Fleet]] (24 ''Akatsiya'')
* storage in [[Gusev, Kaliningrad Oblast|Gusev]] which belonged to the Baltic Fleet (31 ''Akatsiya'')
* 55th marine division from [[Vladivostok]] which belonged to the [[Pacific Ocean Fleet (Russia)|Pacific Fleet]].

All the equipment<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mil.ru/848/1045/1272/1365/1366/skvo/19274/index.shtml?id=26199 |title=Новости СКВО, News of The Russian Federation Ministry of Defence<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=June 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210175221/http://www.mil.ru/848/1045/1272/1365/1366/skvo/19274/index.shtml?id=26199 |archive-date=December 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> of 817th self-propelled artillery regiment of 62nd Russian military base of the North Caucasus Military District was withdrawn from [[Akhalkalaki]], Georgia in 2006 according to the Russian-Georgian [[Sochi agreement]], the regiment had 30 ''Akatsiya'' and it had planned to relocate some of its self-propelled artillery to 102nd Russian military base in [[Gyumri]], Armenia.

At the moment the 2S3 is considered outdated due to an insufficient range compared to modern self-propelled artillery. A modernized variant was developed in 2000s and 2 gun battalions of the Russian Army (including one of the 2nd Taman motor rifle division) have been reequipped with the 2S3M2 in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.militaryparitet.com/nomen/russia/arty/sarty/data/ic_nomenrussiaartysarty/19/ |title=Самоходная артиллерия – Военный паритет: мобильная МБР Тополь, основной боевой танк Т-90, истребитель МиГ-29, ракета Булава, ракеты средней дальности<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=May 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030040211/http://www.militaryparitet.com/nomen/russia/arty/sarty/data/ic_nomenrussiaartysarty/19/ |archive-date=October 30, 2007 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

===Combat history===
The 2S3 became a well-known [[self-propelled artillery]] after combat operations in Afghanistan where it proved to be an effective and reliable artillery system. 2S3s were used quite successfully during two Chechen wars and military conflicts on the territory of former USSR.
* [[Soviet–Afghan War]] (1979–1989)
* [[Iran–Iraq War]] (1980–1988)
* [[Gulf War]] (1991)
* [[Civil War in Tajikistan]] (1992–1997)
* [[First Chechen War]] (1994–1996)
* [[Second Chechen War]] (1999)
* [[2008 South Ossetia War|South Ossetia War]] (2008)
* [[2011 Libyan Civil War|Libyan Civil War]] (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CK9Ops95rA&feature=player_embedded&fmt=18|title=معركة ثوار مع كتائب القذفي (30) Ajdabiya 2011.07.14.MP4 – YouTube|work=YouTube|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410193532/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CK9Ops95rA&feature=player_embedded&fmt=18|archive-date=April 10, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Syrian Civil War]] (2011–present)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp-HRH5-zbo|title=YouTube|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002141509/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp-HRH5-zbo|archive-date=October 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[War in Donbas]] (2014–2022) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfFGWjxagUA|title=YouTube|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=January 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310182335/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfFGWjxagUA|archive-date=March 10, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] (2022-present)

==Operators==
2S3 ''Akatsiya'' SPGs were exported to foreign countries but in a relatively small amount.
[[File:2S3 operators.png|thumb|upright=1.35|2S3 operators:  {{legend|#0360d5|Current|}}{{legend|#d2041e|Former}}]]

===Current operators===
* {{ALG}} – 30{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=316}}
* {{ANG}} – 4{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=433}}
* {{ARM}} – 28{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=171}}
* {{AZE}} – 14{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=173}}
* {{BLR}} – 125{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=175}}
* {{CUB}}{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=394}}
* {{flaglist|Democratic Republic of the Congo}} – 10{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=447}}
* {{GEO}} – 13{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=177}}
* {{KAZ}} – 60{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=179}}
* {{RUS}} – 700 2S3/2S3M used by the Ground Forces and 50 used by the Naval Infantry, while 1,000 2S3 are estimated to be in storage as of 2023{{sfn|IISS|2023|pages=185,190}}
* {{SSD}}{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=479}}
* {{SYR}}{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=355}}
* {{UKR}} – 140+, used by the Ground Forces and Airborne Assault Troops{{sfn|IISS|2023|pages=202, 204}}
* {{UZB}} – 17{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=205}}
* {{VIE}} – 30{{sfn|IISS|2023|page=299}}

===Former operators===
* {{BUL}} – 20{{sfn|IISS|1989|page=45}}
* {{DDR}} – 90{{sfn|IISS|1989|page=47}}
* {{HUN}} – 18{{sfn|IISS|1989|page=49}}
* {{flag|Iraq|1991}} – Unknown number operational prior to the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]<ref>{{Cite report |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |date=7 February 2003 |title=Iraqi Armed Forces on the Edge of War |url=https://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/iraq_edgeofwar%5B1%5D.pdf |publisher=[[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] |access-date=16 July 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209162502/https://www.csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/iraq_edgeofwar[1].pdf|archive-date=9 February 2010 |page=6, 26 |author1-link=Anthony Cordesman}}</ref>
* {{flag|Libya|1977}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Gaddafi's Massive Artillery Force That Kept On Fighting A Year After His Death |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/12/gaddafis-massive-artillery-force-that.html |website=Oryx |access-date=23 January 2024 |date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
* {{USSR}} – 3,500+ used by the Ground Forces and Naval Infantry.{{sfn|IISS|1989|pages=34, 37}} Passed on to [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] members
* {{TJK}} − 36 in 2017<ref>{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2017 |date=14 February 2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-85743-900-7 |page=225 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vk8-vgAACAAJ |language=en |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}</ref>
* {{USA}} – 7, 4 transferred from Germany 1993, 3 transferred from Ukraine 2000<ref name="http://www.deagel.com/Self-Propelled-Howitzers/2S3_a000722001.aspx">{{Cite web |url=http://www.deagel.com/Self-Propelled-Howitzers/2S3_a000722001.aspx |title=2S3<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=June 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121180529/http://www.deagel.com/Self-Propelled-Howitzers/2S3_a000722001.aspx |archive-date=November 21, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{lwc|M109 howitzer|M109}}
* {{lwc|2S5 Giatsint-S}}
* {{lwc|2S19 Msta-S}}
* {{lwc|2S35 Koalitsiya-SV}}
* {{lwc|2S1 Gvozdika}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last1=Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The military balance, 1989-1990 |date=1989 |publisher=Brassey's |location=London |isbn=978-0080375694 |page=34 |author1-link=Institute for Strategic Studies |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|1989}}}}
*{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=15 February 2023 |publisher=Routledge |pages=201−204 |isbn=978-1032508955 |edition=1st |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2023}}}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://zw-observer.narod.ru/books/artillery/152-mm_s-p_howitzer-gun_CO-152.html 152-мм самоходная гаубица-пушка СО-152]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070507065140/http://motovilikha.perm.ru/oboronnaya/samohod/ 2S3 "Akatsiya" description at the website of its manufacturer]
* [http://www.armyrecognition.com/Russe/vehicule_artillerie/2S3/2S3_Russie_description.htm 2S3 from Army Recognition.com]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/2s3.htm Federation of American Scientists page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060622045645/http://www.armscontrol.ru/atmtc/Arms_systems/Land/Artillery/Self_Propelled/2S3_Akatsia_SP_Howitzer.htm Russian Arms Catalogue]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080626085459/http://www.wartechnic.ru/rus/ground/selfpropelledartillery/2c3/photolist_1.shtml Photos]
* [http://warfare.be/?lang=&catid=240&linkid=1566 List of Russian units which use 2S3 "Akatsiya" at the moment]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081211041719/http://hobby.nikolaev.com.ua/modules.php?name=Articles&file=view&articles_id=221 In Russian. Information and drawings]
* [http://topgun.rin.ru/cgi-bin/units.pl?unit=2066 юПРЯХЯРЕЛЮ 2С3 Акация Сухопутные войска Арсенал]
* [http://www.dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=1875 Walkaround of 2S3 in Il'inskoye, on DishModels.ru]

{{Soviet and Russian artillery after WW2}}
{{Post WWII Soviet AFVS}}

[[Category:Self-propelled howitzers of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:152 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Tracked self-propelled howitzers]]
[[Category:Uraltransmash products]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s]]