| Barin1 | 04 Mar 2013 6:28 a.m. PST |
As announced recently, Russia is about to retire its arsenal of D-30 howitzers, that were widely used in Soviet and later in Russian Army for about 50 years.Production was stopped in first half of 1990s, it was a hard time for all military production. Due to this fact, the barrels were detoriating without possibility of replacement, so it is more or less expected that most of 5000 of D-30 will be moved to artillery bases for inspection, some will be scrapped some might be sold somewhere as M-30 in 80s.
Those in good conditions will still be used in VDV and the brigades, deployed in the south. Pretty sure there's still plenty of shells left.
I have a soft spot for this howitzer, as I was trained as operator, took part in many drills in heat and cold and really liked it.
It was widely produced, sold to some countries where it was mounted on older tanks chassis (Syria nd Egypt), it was also licensed to some countries (Yugoslavia, Iraq).
General idea is that it will be replaced by self-propelled guns and 152 mm howitzers…another cold war warrior is gone, but I will remember it. link |
| John D Salt | 04 Mar 2013 6:33 a.m. PST |
An extremely efficient and good-looking gun. Might you be able to acquire a retired one as a lawn ornament? All the best, John. |
| SECURITY MINISTER CRITTER | 04 Mar 2013 6:50 a.m. PST |
I was sad when they Decommissioned my old ship, so I know how you feel. |
 Editor in Chief Bill   | 04 Mar 2013 7:07 a.m. PST |
It will never be retired from my wargame table, though! |
| taskforce58 | 04 Mar 2013 7:08 a.m. PST |
Lots of counties are still using the D-30, so it'll still be around for a while, like the WW2 era US M2A1 105mm. |
| GeoffQRF | 04 Mar 2013 7:18 a.m. PST |
We can still sell you loads… link :-) Geoff
QRF |
| altfritz | 04 Mar 2013 11:27 a.m. PST |
Gimme a good ole d6 anyday! :-) |
| Lion in the Stars | 04 Mar 2013 1:25 p.m. PST |
I'd like two for 'gate guard' duty. What do you mean, illegal? There's no explosive in the shell, and it's just gunpowder in the case. Of course, those are canister shells that open at the muzzle… |
| nsolomon99 | 04 Mar 2013 3:46 p.m. PST |
Bit of a legend the Soviet 122mm |
| tuscaloosa | 04 Mar 2013 6:18 p.m. PST |
IIRC the first medium arty piece that could spin 360 degrees on its mount… |
| Timbo W | 04 Mar 2013 6:42 p.m. PST |
According to an old 'Janes' book I have its HEAT shell packed quite a wallop, able to defeat 460mm of armour allegedly. Can anyone say if this is true or not? The book in question is Cold War vintage so might not be too trustworthy! |
| Barin1 | 04 Mar 2013 10:57 p.m. PST |
Never had a possibility to test that, what I've seen is T-55 turret knocked off the tank and lightly armored stuff like MTLB/GTT/BTR pierced through. D-30 has a special optics specifically designed for direct shot of 1000-1200 m, and it was our favourite exercise as you can see where the shell lands, which is a rare thing when you shoot a howitzer with 18 km distance capability…. |
| Lion in the Stars | 05 Mar 2013 1:03 p.m. PST |
Though I suppose I'd need to invite Barin and a few of his friends to the US to teach me how to use and maintain those guns… @Timbo: That's about what they say the old AT4 antitank rocket can do, so it doesn't sound outrageous. |
| Barin1 | 05 Mar 2013 11:34 p.m. PST |
a manual for you ;) YouTube link D-30 are used in Saint-Petersburg to mark midday, tradition from Peter the Great. and at trainings:
YouTube link this one with english subs
YouTube link YouTube link shooting and a bit of servicing and this guy has some knowledge, too ;) YouTube link i saw a video of finnish crew firing D-30 but for some reason can't find it any longer… |
