Why did the US hunt for Akatsiya after the collapse of the Soviet Union?

Military expert of Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, Viktor Baranets commented that the 2S3 Akatsia self-propelled gun has become much more powerful and flexible after the upgrade process.
Uralvagonzavod has handed over the first batch of modernized 2S3M self-propelled howitzers (SPH) to the Russian Defense Ministry. Deliveries are made within the framework of a state defense order.

The information indicates that the enterprise has carried out major repairs and modernization for the Akatsiya complexes, improvements focused on suppressing and destroying enemy armored vehicles, including tanks and artillery. Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper military observer, retired Colonel Viktor Baranets talked about the improvements Akatsiya received after the modernization process in an interview with PolitExpert reporter. Mr. Baranets noted that, first of all, all imported components were replaced, some of which came from NATO countries. After a few years, the Russian manufacturer has successfully installed domestic replacement parts of higher quality. Specifically, some details in the control system, aiming equipment, and communications. .. It is noteworthy that a new communication system has been installed, allowing the commander of the self-propelled artillery complex to communicate immediately with the officer of the battery. This can reduce the time it takes to prepare to shoot, which is extremely important, Mr. Baranets stressed. “After firing, quickly run away from your position, or you will get an answer in just 1 minute. Without upgrading the communication system, changing the deployment status will take time, this which generals, designers and scientists naturally understand. “We need an advanced fire control system that allows ‘fire and flight’, ensuring survival on the battlefield,” military expert Baranets explained to reporters. In the opinion of Mr. Baranets, the new Akatsiya chassis is characterized by high durability and reliability. In addition, adjustments have been made to the quality of the irradiation process. Although the caliber of the cannon remains the same as 152 mm, thanks to the improved ballistics, the range has increased to 25 km. In other words, the 2S3M self-propelled gun acquires new qualities, becoming much more powerful. Self-propelled gun 2S3 Akatsiya has been upgraded by Russia with outstanding power Colonel Baranets noted, although Akatsiya served in the Soviet Army nearly 50 years ago, it continues to be the backbone of the Russian Army. Thanks to its reliably ingenious design, it has undergone more than one modernization. It is no coincidence that today more than 30 countries use Russian self-propelled artillery. “A curious detail – after the fall of the Soviet Union, Americans walked through Russia like vacuum cleaners and bought all the interesting weapons, including the Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, but its characteristics were low. half of our weapons,” Baranets said. According to the analyst, the Americans obtained these self-propelled guns even from the former Soviet republics and the countries of the Warsaw Pact. The United States expected to study the design features of Russian artillery, because they recognized their superior performance. Baranets believes that every Russian weapon, such as the Kalashnikov assault rifle, has endless modernization possibilities. Akatsiya will also have a similar story, as it has huge reserves for further improvement. The military observer concluded: “I think that in five years we will have a further improved self-propelled artillery, the shells of which will be more powerful and will run faster by itself.”