2С7 «Пион»: зачем СССР создал самую мощную пушку в мире

When the Soviet Union began developing the 2S7 Pion self-propelled gun, its designers faced an unusual challenge. The new vehicle was to destroy the most fortified fortifications, command posts, and high-value targets at vast distances. To achieve this, it was equipped with a gigantic 203-mm gun—one of the most powerful ever mounted on a mass-produced self-propelled artillery unit. The Pion's firepower surpassed that of most foreign counterparts, and its firing range forced the enemy to stay well beyond the front lines. But why was such a powerful vehicle produced in relatively small numbers? How effective was it in real-life conflicts? And was it truly designed to employ specialized ammunition? In this issue, we'll examine the history of the 2S7 Pion, its design features, real-world capabilities, combat use, and comparisons with foreign counterparts. We'll explore why, decades later, this self-propelled gun remains one of the most formidable artillery systems in the world.