Russia Shifts to Cheaper TA-20 Explosive in Artillery and Rockets

Reports indicate that Russian defense industries are broadly replacing the powerful A-IX-2 explosive with the cheaper, weaker TA-20 in artillery shells, tank rounds, and rockets. A-IX-2 consists of 73% hexogen, 23% aluminum powder and 4% stabilizers, while TA-20 is 80% TNT and 20% aluminum powder, giving A-IX-2 about 30% higher explosive power. The detonation velocity of TA-20 is around 6,000 m/s compared with roughly 8,400 m/s for A-IX-2, meaning A-IX-2 provides greater destructive and fragmentation effects. Experts say the switch is driven by the high cost and manufacturing complexity of hexogen; in wartime, Russia prefers cheaper, simpler explosives to boost production speed and volume. The change has been observed in 122 mm and 152 mm shells, 125 mm tank rounds, and 122 mm Grad family rockets.