890 years ago, this technology became known to the world. It was shocking like war elephants and was ruthless like a sea storm. Artillery. The capability of attacking your enemy outside of weapon range is the main goal of all military developments in the last 1000 years. That sounds snobby. Let's rework that. Since my childhood I've wanted to make a slingshot that shoots farther than anyone else's. This thinking is probably what made me want to study military technology. Let's continue this snobbery. Despite all the conversations about the end of the era of Kingly wars, artillery is alive and keeps on developing. There have been many modifications to the technology, but we still use the same principles that were determined over 100 years ago.

 

So, we can say that artillery is alive and well and the 100-year-old howitzer can fire just as good as the newer models. Several models serve for many decades and don’t lose their relevance. Let's look at what old artillery platforms are still used in armies around the world. Legends must be remembered. It's the law of new legends appearing. So, this video should also become a legend. The next as well. And everyone after that... I think you understand my logic here. Time-tested artillery. Let's go! We'll start in a flowerbed. Yes, a typical flowerbed outside any well-kept home. I suspect it was in a flowerbed that the name of this Soviet artillery was thought of. Let's look at the Peony and Tulip.

 If you know the history of these names, let us know in the comments. The Peony (2C7) is a Soviet self-propelled artillery platform with a 203.2-mm 2A44 cannon. It first went into service in 1976. The Peony is designed to suppress the rear and destroy especially important objects and nuclear attack materials at a tactical depth of up to 29 miles. 29 miles is impressive for the time. It's still impressive today. But the self-propelled mortar, the Tulip, is actively used in military action. The 2C4 Tulip is a 240-mm self-propelled mortar. The 2C4 Tulip series was initiated in 1972. Its main weapon is a 240-mm 2B8 mortar. 


 According to specialists, the production of one self-propelled artillery station costs the government about 210,000 roubles. At the exchange rate from that time, that was 270,000 dollars. 2C4s were made until 1988. In total, Soviet production made 588 artillery units. It's not hard to calculate the cost which was a million Soviet engineer’s monthly salaries. Real tulips for International Women's Day were much cheaper for these engineers. The self-propelled 2C4 mortal saw action in the war in Afghanistan. Then, it was used in Chechnya and Syria. According to various data, there are 120 to410 2C4s still stored in Russia. 

Out of the post-Soviet governments, a few2C4s remain only in the Kazakhstan army. By the way, let us know if you would like to hear about what's happening with Kazakhstan's army. Let's move further east. To South Korea. Let's look at the well-aged SPG K9 Thunder. The K9 Thunder was developed in the mid 1990sby Samsung Tech win for an order from the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Defense. Samsung in Korea is a kind of odd-looking corporation if they're even making artillery. The K9 Thunder is equipped with a defensive system for WMDs, a heating system, communication systems, a fire-suppression system and night-vision equipment. Wait. Wait. A heating system? I know where I'm moving for the winter. 

                       

  The artillery can move along hard-surfaced roads at speeds up to 42 mph and has fuel reserves for 298 miles. This model is used from Norway to India speaking to its high quality. But my phone isn't a Samsung one. Haha our next cannon isn't just an adult. It's already quite old. Surprisingly, the M-45 developed in the 50shas many characteristics, primarily the firing range, that impresses artillery squad’s in many countries. It was used in local conflicts including artillery duels between China and Taiwan, in the Vietnam War and in wars in the Middle East. The M-46 is still used in many countries. Of course, they aren't the richest countries, but the that doesn't affect the cannon's quality. 

Everyone uses what they can. And the legendary German PzH 2000 is already over 20 years old. Production began back in 1998. As the first self-propelled artillery independently made in Germany after WWII, the PzH 2000 without exaggeration set a new standard for SPGs in other countries. This beauty has the firing power comparable to 3 self-propelled M109s with the latest modifications. Additionally, the Germany artillery has significantly greater chances to escape the battlefield thanks to its high mobility, superb armor, and ability to act as a stationary firing point as well as a mobile weapons system. By the way, for polygon testing, the PzH 2000used a silencer that will impress every one of you. Look at it.

                                                                  

 Impressive, no? Let's look at the Archer, an artillery system with immense potential next. We've already analyzed it in a previous video. The Archer was developed for rapid deployment and according to BAE Systems, the platform needs less than 30 seconds after receiving firing orders to stop the machine, take aim and fire. In just 30 seconds after firing, the machine can begin moving again. These characteristics are veeeeeeeery hard to scoff at which let the Archer will keep on firing for many years to come. Of course, we won't mention its accuracy. One machine like this can fight against stronger and more enemies, unless of course they also have an Archer among their ranks.

 Then that duel will end in under 60 seconds. Look at how the world is speeding up. Let's look at a few more Soviet ancients. The BM-21 Grad ("Hail"). It's been in use since 1963. Over 8500 units have been made in that time. It's like real hail. The Grads moved out in 1969 during a border conflict with China on the Daman sky Island. Later, the Grads were actively used in the Afghanistan war as well as in several other military conflicts in Africa. The Grads became as popular among multiple rocket launcher systems as the AK did among firearms. Despite its age, these MLRSs are constantly being modernized and won't be retiring anytime soon. 

                                                           

The last Soviet cannon for today is the D30. This 122-mm howitzer came into force in the USSR in 1963. It replaced the legend of WWII, the M-30 howitzer. At first, the Soviet howitzer was placed on a platform with circular rotation. This seriously increased its practical firing rate. To significantly change the horizontal angle, it was no longer needed to manually crank the machine. The idea seems to have been so simple but just as effective. Like a door stop. Or mosquito nets. Or... I'll stop. I can do this forever. On a good road, the D30 can reach speeds of50 mph and needs about 90 seconds to get ready for combat. The system is simple, reliable, accurate and lethal. 

These characteristics, as well as the fact that the Soviet government handed out howitzers and manufacturing licenses, made the D30 one of the most popular artillery systems in the world. There are about 50 countries that use this system. 50? It's like the Starbucks of the artillery world! Let's keep going! The Singapore Self Propelled Howitzer 1 (SSPH1) Primus 1. The name is much harder to say in the local languages. This SPG has been used since 2004. That was almost 20 years ago. I remember when we started making this list... Now I'm how much older than the Primus... Stop. Stop. The SSPH 1 corresponds to all of NATOs ammunition standards.

 It can fire high-explosive, smoke and illuminating rounds. It's a cannon. Haha it’s odd we've had so little to say about the US today. That's because they don't focus on artillery as much as post-Soviet countries do. But they've got some good old boys too. The M110 is a 203-mm self-propelled howitzer that was in the army and navy infantry from 1960 to 1990. Other countries have continued using the M110into the early 21st century. The M110 was once of the most powerful self-propelled artilleries in the US army. 

                                                          

This artillery system was used in the Vietnam War, during Desert Shield, and Desert Storm. It's retired in the US now though. But there are countries that use it second-hand. The M110 is now used from Spain to Japan. It's got some life in it yet! Last but not least is the longest-lived of the longest-lived. We've already mentioned it as well. Here it is. The M1. It's a 240-mm WWII veteran that served as a fortress platform on islands in the Republic of China. 

Is it time to retire old man? As cool as it looks, we do think it's time. They don't pose any real threat in a real conflict nor do they have defensive functionality. They actually just drain energy. The islands Kinmen and Matsu where the M1stands won't subject to direct invasion like may have happened decades ago. Instead, this island fortresses can just be bypassed, cutting Taiwan off from them and blockade them until they run out of supplies. But we hope this won't come to pass and everything will remain peaceful. As in anywhere else. Why are and why should weapons be made.