The 2S9 NONA (Russian: Новейшее Орудие Наземной Артилерии, lit. 'Newest Ordnance of Ground Artillery') 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.^[3]

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 (5 ft 11 in) 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 (24–26 in) of steel plate at up to 1 km (0.62 mi).^[4][1][5][6]

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.^[7] In August 2022, Ukraine's armed forces claimed to use four captured Russian 2S9 against Russian forces.^[8] In November 2022, a 2S23-SVK Nona was photographed in Ukrainian service. It was reportedly captured from Russian forces and took months to refit.^[9]

On 26 March 2024, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russia 2S9 Nona 120 mm mortar with a GLSDB and left another “burning” in Zaporizhzhia.^[10] In June 2024 Ukraine used a drone to destroy a 2S9 Nona that had been equipped with turtle tank style add on armour.^[11]

Variants of the 120 mm Nona mortar:

• 2S23 Nona-SVK – BTR-80-based chassis mounting a 2A60 mortar, a variant of the 2A50.^[12]
• 2B16 Nona-K – A towed version. Fitted with a muzzle brake.^[5]
• 2S31 Vena – Is a similar concept based on the BMP-3 chassis. Longer barrel for increased range.^[13]
• 2S17-2 Nona-SV – A BRM-1K with a 2S9 Nona turret, in use by the Ukrainian Ground Forces.^[14][15]

•  Azerbaijan: 18 2S9^[16]
•  Belarus: 18 2B23 Nona-M1^[17]
•  Kyrgyzstan: 12 2S9^[18]
•  Moldova: 9 2S9^[19]
•  Russia: 446 (excluding 500 2S9 in store in an unknown condition): 280 2S9 Nona-S, 42 2S23 Nona-SVK and 124 2B16 Nona-K^[20]
•  Syria - Quantity unknown^[21]
•  Turkmenistan: 17 2S9^[22]
•  Ukraine: 2 2B16 and 40 2S9.^[23] 2S9 and 2B16 versions have been used by both sides during Russo-Ukrainian War^[24][25]
•  Uzbekistan: 54 2S9^[26]
•  Venezuela - 18 Nona SVK, ordered 2009, delivered 2011–2012.^[27] 13 in service as of 2016.^[28]

•  India^[29]
•  Iraq^[29]
•  Soviet Union^[29]

• "2S9 Anona (Anemone)- 120mm SPH/Mortar". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
• Walkaround 2S9 Nona from Kremenchuk

Map of 2S9 operators in blue with former operators in red

2B16 Nona-K

Nona-SVK

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857438352.