Russian Armed Forces Receive Advanced Self-Propelled Mortars

It takes a Drok mortar less than sixty seconds to shift to firing position when on the move - which is pretty impressive for such a machine.

The Russian state corporation Rostec has sent the first experimental batch of the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortars to the country’s armed forces.

According to Rostec’s press service, the design of the Typhoon armored vehicle-mounted Drok mortar allows its crew to conduct fire without leaving the 2S41, which can be transformed into firing position in less than a minute.

Russia's Drok self-propelled mortar. File photo

© Sputnik / Grigory Sysoyev

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Rostec spokesman Bekhan Ozdoyev, for his part, stressed that the 2S41 is superior to foreign analogs in terms of certain performance characteristics.

"One of the main advantages of the Drok is its high rate of fire, which amounts to more than 10 rounds per minute, while the ammunition load can hold more than 40 mines. In addition, the 2S41 is fitted with reliable anti-bullet and anti-mine protection system, and thanks to its maneuverability, it allows the crew to quickly move away from enemy fire," Ozdoyev explained.

He added that the self-propelled mortar is designed to destroy enemy manpower and lightly armored vehicles, as well as blind hostile observation posts and create smoke screens.

The 2S41’s effective firing range is over 1.5 times higher than that of the standard 2B14 Podnos (Tray) mortar, which stands at 3,922 meters (2,437 miles).

In addition, the Drok features a remotely-controlled weapon module with a circular rotation machine gun and an optical-electronic sight. The digital system provides the self-propelled mortar with both secure information interaction with control vehicles and the possibility of autonomous operation.