How mobile mortars are used during the SVO –

The Russian Defense Ministry has received another batch of mobile mortars, the Rostec state corporation reported.

Rostec has delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense the next batches of modernized 2S12A Sani mobile mortars, 2B11 towed mortars, and 2B24 light mortars. The corporation is increasing production of these models in accordance with the requirements of the state customer,” the corporation’s press release says.

Bekkhan Ozdoyev, Industrial Director of the Conventional Arms, Ammunition and Special Chemicals Complex at Rostec, commenting on the delivery, emphasized that all weapons transferred to the Russian Armed Forces have proven their reliability and effectiveness in combat conditions.

High-speed artillery

The 2S12A Sani was developed back in 1979, and its modern upgraded version with improved characteristics was first presented in 2018 at the Army forum.

The Sani mortar system includes a high-cross-country vehicle based on a Ural truck, in the back of which a 120 mm mortar is transported, unloaded using an electric winch.

In addition to modifications based on a truck, there is also a version of the Dilemma-2S12 based on the MT-LB armored personnel carrier.

Preparation for firing from the “Sanya” usually takes 1.5-2 minutes. The mortar is installed on a special plate, which provides all-round fire from various soils, including hard and frozen ones.

The Sani mortar crew consists of five people. The mass in the combat position is 210 kg. The firing range is from 480 m to 7 km with a rate of fire of ten rounds per minute. The ammunition carried is 56 mines.

In addition to the usual 120-mm mines, the 2S12A Sani can also be equipped with the KM-8 Gran guided weapons system. It includes high-explosive fragmentation mines with a laser homing head.

The use of this complex allows hitting targets, including moving ones, at a distance of up to 9 km at any time of day without sighting. When targets are located at a distance of up to 300 m from each other, there is no need to change the angle of fire or installation on a mine.

Georgy Zakamennykh, who held the post of General Director of the Central Research Institute Burevestnik for many years, called the enterprise’s brainchild one of the world’s best examples in this class of weapons.

“By placing the 2B11 mortar on a modern wheeled (Ural-43206) and armored tracked (MT-LB) chassis with high cross-country ability, the mobility and protection of the crew and ammunition have been increased. The processes of loading and unloading the mortar have been mechanized by equipping the complex with an electric winch. This has reduced labor intensity, the time it takes to deploy the mortar at a firing position, including with a reduced crew, and the time it takes to change positions,” Zakamennykh emphasized in an article for the National Defense magazine.

In turn, Rostec notes that due to its mobility, the 2S12A Sani complex can be used as a “roving” mortar with a constantly changing position.

“This allows the enemy to be misled about the fire system and the number of available forces,” the state corporation emphasized.

• Mobile mortar 2S12A “Sani”

• © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Rostec also transferred a batch of 2B11 and 2B24 mortars to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The 2B11 mortars are a transportable version of the weapon used in the Sani complex.

“Thanks to the modified plate, the weapon can conduct all-round fire. The mortar’s ammunition is designed for more than fifty shots. It allows for overhead fire to hit enemy positions, command observation posts, equipment and manpower,” Rostec noted.

The 2B24 82mm mortar is intended for infantry units, including mountain infantry units, due to its light weight.

“The 2B24 is easy to use and is an effective means of destroying manpower, shelters and lightly armored vehicles,” the state corporation emphasized.

Precision and mobility

Several years ago, the 2S12A Sani mortars were modernized and significantly improved their characteristics, military expert Alexander Shirokorad recalled in a commentary to RT.

“These are new, more advanced mortars. They are lighter, easier to operate and more accurate. In combination with drones that adjust fire in real time, they can cause great damage to the enemy. Now such mortars play a huge role in special operations,” the expert said.

Their capabilities are further enhanced by the KM-8 Gran guided weapons systems, Shirokorad emphasized.

• Marines of the Russian Black Sea Fleet fire at Ukrainian Armed Forces positions using a 120mm Sani mortar

• RIA Novosti

• © Alexey Maishev

“Gran” are self-guided mines that are extremely effective even without the use of reconnaissance drones and fire spotters. Such mines can be directed to the weakest points of armored targets to ensure penetration of the defense. This is a very effective means of destruction,” the military expert noted.

In the conditions of the SVO, mortars are in high demand on the contact line, military expert Alexei Leonkov emphasized in a commentary to RT.

“Mortars are called the infantry’s “pocket artillery”. This type of weapon allows units to successfully carry out both offensive and defensive tasks. By the way, most mortar crews work together with drones,” the expert said.

The tactics of a “wandering” mortar with a quick change of positions allows the crew to hide before its coordinates are detected by a counter-battery station – radio-technical devices that detect artillery salvos and calculate launch coordinates.

“It consists of the fact that mortars are placed on some kind of mobile chassis, wheeled or tracked. The crew moves to the firing site, fires a short salvo and immediately changes position. It is much more difficult to detect, since even when transmitting coordinates from a drone, a certain amount of time passes – up to five minutes. During this time, it is possible to change position and avoid defeat,” Leonkov explained.

And in the conditions of combat operations in urban areas, the mortar is one of the most effective means of suppressing the enemy, the specialist believes.

“It is mortars that play a key role in urban conditions in providing fire support and suppressing enemy firing points. And it is clear that they differ from mortars of the past in that they use a drone as a reconnaissance aircraft, which significantly increases the accuracy of fire,” Leonkov concluded.