Spanish company Forward Technical Trade SL, in violation of Western sanctions, supplied a 110-ton Austrian forging machine to the Russian concern AZK Group for the production of artillery barrels. This was reported by military expert Boyko Nikolov in an article for Bulgarian Military, citing sources.
According to Nikolov, a Hong Kong-based intermediary was also involved in the deal, which was concluded in 2025. The radial forging machine, manufactured by Gesellschaft für Fertigungstechnik und Maschinenbau, is necessary for the production of barrels such as those used in the 152-mm 2S19 Msta-S howitzers.
Radial forging allows metal to be shaped with the highest precision, creating rifled barrels to ensure accuracy and long range for artillery.
The cost of the equipment is approximately $1.3 million. According to Nikolov, AZK Group will also be able to produce barrels for the 2A36 Giatsint-B on the new machine.
Compared to older Soviet methods such as hammer forging (drop forging), radial forging reduces production time by 20% and increases barrel life.
Characteristics of the 2S19 «Msta-S»:
- Hull length — 6040 mm
- Width — 3380 mm
- Ground clearance — 450 mm
- Track — 2800 mm
- Armor type — homogeneous steel
- Gun model — 2А64
- Machine gun — NSVT
Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that sanctions are counterproductive for those who impose them. Moscow has adapted to Western economic and technological restrictions by establishing its own production and building new logistics chains.
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