Image source: Photo: blog of Yuri Lyamin (Navigator)
As we have already written, in the 90s, the Ukrainian military industry associated a lot of hopes with the modernization of Iranian military equipment. Moreover, the developers from Kharkov were going to improve the characteristics of not only T-55, T-62 or T-72 tanks, but also other equipment, for example, 155-mm self-propelled artillery units Raad-2, which were a local modification of the American M109A1B.
It was planned to install 700-horsepower 5TDF from T-64 tanks on them. Prototypes were made. The new power unit improved mobility characteristics, so the 36-ton ACS had a maximum speed on the highway up to 60 km/ h.
Image source: Photo: blog of Yuri Lyamin (Navigator)
The Iranians produced everything else themselves, including guns capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 30 km. The crew of the ACS is 5 people. The rate of fire is up to 5 rounds per minute.
However, after a harsh American reaction, which in fact banned Ukraine from cooperating with Iran, all contacts, including in this direction, were terminated.
Image source: Photo: blog of Yuri Lyamin (Navigator)
As a result, the Iranians began to mass-produce self-propelled guns, unified in chassis and engine and transmission compartment with the T-72S tank.
Dmitry Lemeshko
