russian occupation forces are using both OF43 high-explosive fragmentation shells and OF44 rocket-assisted rounds (also designated ZVOF35) with their 203 mm 2S7 Pion self-propelled guns. Photos confirming the use of these munitions have recently appeared in open sources.
The notable aspect is that the OF44 rocket-assisted shells appear to be relatively rare in russian service. Total production may have been limited to just 4,000 rounds.
Read more: Ukraine Destroys 3 2S7 Pion Guns, 1 TOS-1A Solntsepyok System and 7 AFVs in Deep Luhansk Strike (Video)
Publicly available procurement data indicates that in 2024 the russian defense industry received state orders for 60,000 OF43 shells, 4,000 OF44 rocket-assisted rounds with a firing range of up to 47.5 km, and 1,000 Z-O-14 cluster munitions.
At the same time, both the cluster rounds and standard OF43 shells reportedly cost around $3,300 per unit, while the OF44 rocket-assisted ammunition was priced at approximately $5,500 per round.
The reported procurement plan for 2025 included only OF43 high-explosive fragmentation shells for the 2S7 Pion, again in quantities of 60,000 rounds, at an estimated cost of about $3,400 each.
If these figures are accurate, the russian military appears to be using OF44 ammunition rather sparingly, especially if rounds produced in 2024 are still being fired in 2026.
On the other hand, the publicly available data on russian 203 mm ammunition procurement may be incomplete. Actual production of OF44 rocket-assisted rounds during 2024-2025 may have exceeded the known figure of 4,000 units.
Back in 2024, reports also indicated that russian forces were using 203 mm ammunition for the Pion system that was likely supplied by Iran. This suggested that russia had already begun depleting its existing stockpiles of 203 mm shells.
Previously, Defense Express reported that Plant No. 9, known as the developer of the D-30 howitzer and a manufacturer of tank gun barrels, is preparing to produce the Koalitsiya-SV artillery system using Western-made machine tools.
Ivan Kyrychevskyi, serviceman of the 413th Raid Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine and weapons expert at Defense Express.
Read more: Ukrainian Forces Destroy Rare russian 2S4 Tyulpan Mortar Near Vovchansk (Video)
