#Msta_B
#152mm_Howitzer
#RussiaUkraineWar
#Ukraine
The 2A65 is a late Cold War era howitzer of Soviet origin. The 2A65 was developed from 1976 onward as a replacement for the 152mm D-20, but also for the older D-1 and ML-20 which remained in second-line service. With NATO the 2A65 was known as the M1987 until its proper designation was known. The 2A65 is also called the Msta-B, being the towed variant of the ordnance used on the 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer.

Design
The 2A65 is based on a two wheel split trail carriage. The ordnance is a 152mm 47-caliber howitzer with double baffle muzzle brake and sliding breech block. This is a variant of the howitzer used in the 2S19. A crew of 8 operates the weapon. The crew is partially protected by a gun shield.

Firepower
The 2A65 has a maximum range of 24.7 km with standard ammunition and 28.5 km with base bleed shells. Maximum rate of fire is 7 rpm. The ammunition range includes the new shells developed for used with the 2S19, as wel as the older range of shells used in the D-20 and ML-20.

Mobility
The 2A65 is a heavy weapon that is normally towed by a 6x6 5-ton truck. In Soviet service the Ural-4320 was used. Nowadays the KamAZ-6530 8x8 truck is used as well. Maximum towed speed is 80 km/h on good roads and 20 km/h off road. The 2A65 is too heavy to be moved over distance by the crew.

Users
The 2A65 was produced in large numbers. However, after the fall of the Soviet union many towed howitzer ended up in storage. The 2A65 was adopted by the Soviet Union and ended up with many of the successor states. The 2A65 was not exported beyond the former Soviet Union.

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