Roman Khromov, Deputy Executive Director of Kurganmashzavod, said that the company is starting work on a new 152 mm howitzer. Something similar was attempted in the USSR in the 80s of the last century: a prototype on the BMP-3 chassis was called "Pat-S."
The topic of "Pat-S" is a large caliber and light weight. But since that machine was developed back in the USSR and for specific customer requirements, they now need to be updated, in particular, from the point of view of the fire control system.
According to a representative of Kurganmashzavod, preparatory work is currently underway on Pat-S — information is being collected and analyzed in order to prepare a draft technical specification.
What the Ministry of Defense has now indicated to us, we must analyze — how much of this can be implemented using the scientific and technical groundwork on the topic of "Pat-S" and other R&D and serial machines that we produce.
2S18 "Pat-S" is an experienced 152-millimeter self-propelled artillery unit on the BMP-3 chassis, the world's first large-caliber howitzer capable of overcoming water obstacles afloat on its own. Only one prototype was produced in the USSR.
Earlier it became known that Russia may resume production of the "flying" T-80 tank.