2S9 Nona

The 2S9 NONA (Новейшее Орудие Наземной Артилерии) is a self-propelled and air-droppable 120 mm mortar designed in the Soviet Union, which entered service in 1981. The 2S9 chassis is designated the S-120 and based on the aluminium hull of the BTR-D airborne multi-purpose tracked armoured personnel carrier. More generally, the 120 mm mortar is referred to as the Nona, with the 2S9 also known as the Nona-S. Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that over 1,000 2S9 were built.

Description
The 2S9 Nona-S is an amphibious vehicle that can be propelled through the water by two rear water-jets. It is operated by a four-man crew comprising a commander, a driver/mechanic, a gunner, and a loader. The hull interior is separated into a command compartment, a fighting compartment and an engine compartment. A welded steel turret is located at the middle of the hull. The two-man turret has hatches for the gunner and loader respectively.

The 2S9 utilizes a 120 mm 2A51 mortar with a 1.8 m barrel. The weapon is actually a hybrid of a mortar and howitzer, being an unconventional design that lacks a direct NATO counterpart. It is a rifled, breech-loaded weapon capable of firing HE (high explosive), white phosphorus and smoke rounds, as well as laser-guided munitions like KM-8 Gran. It can engage in indirect and direct fire, as well as targeting armoured vehicles; its armour-piercing rounds can penetrate the equivalent of 600 - 650 mm of steel plate at up to 1 km.

Operational history
They have been deployed by Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In July 2022, video on social media purportedly shows Ukrainian forces using M777 to destroy a towed 2B16 Nona-K in Hoptivka on the border with Russia. In August 2022, Ukraine's armed forces claimed to use four captured Russian 2S9 against Russian forces. In November 2022, a 2S23-SVK Nona was photographed in Ukrainian service. It was reportedly captured from Russian forces and took months to refit.

On 26 March 2024, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russia 2S9 Nona 120 mm mortar with a GLSDB and left another “burning” in Zaporizhzhia. In June 2024 Ukraine used a drone to destroy a 2S9 Nona that had been equipped with turtle tank style add on armour.

Variants
Variants of the 120 mm Nona mortar:
 * 2S23 Nona-SVK – BTR-80-based chassis mounting a 2A60 mortar, a variant of the 2A50.
 * 2B16 Nona-K – A towed version. Fitted with a muzzle brake.
 * 2S31 Vena – Is a similar concept based on the BMP-3 chassis. Longer barrel for increased range.
 * 2S17-2 Nona-SV – A BRM-1K with a 2S9 Nona turret, in use by the Ukrainian Ground Forces.

Current operators



 * 🇦🇿: 18 2S9
 * 🇧🇾: 18 2B23 Nona-M1
 * 🇰🇬: 12 2S9
 * 🇲🇩: 9 2S9
 * 🇷🇺: 446 (excluding 500 2S9 in store in an unknown condition): 280 2S9 Nona-S, 42 2S23 Nona-SVK and 124 2B16 Nona-K
 * 🇸🇾 - Quantity unknown
 * 🇹🇲: 17 2S9
 * 🇺🇦: 2 2B16 and 40 2S9. 2S9 and 2B16 versions have been used by both sides during Russo-Ukrainian War
 * 🇺🇿: 54 2S9
 * 🇻🇪 - 18 Nona SVK, ordered 2009, delivered 2011–2012. 13 in service.

Former operators

 * 🇮🇶 Iraq
 * 🇮🇶 Iraq