1960's ZSU-23-4 Shilka Radar Controlled Anti-Aircraft Gun System, The Muckleburgh Military Collection.
Development of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka began in 1957, the first prototype was completed in 1960. After extensive trials it entered service with the Soviet Army in 1962. Production of the ZSU-23-4 commenced in 1964. It was a very successful design, that was built in large numbers. It was exported to a number of soviet allies. Also this anti-aircraft system saw action during numerous wars. Despite its age the Shilka is still in service with a number of countries worldwide.
The ZSU-23-4 Shilka is armed with quad 23mm machine guns, and is a modified variant of the towed ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun, it has a rate of fire of 3,400 rounds per minute, and also fires the same rounds as the ZU-23. The Shilka is fitted with target surveillance and tracking radar and simple fire control system. Its radar has a tracking range of 3.7 to 6.24 miles, depending on the targets altitude. The baseline Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) has a 30% chance of hitting an air target. The ZSU-23-4 was involved in a number of military conflicts, and has also been extremely effective against ground targets.
The thin armour of the ZSU-23-4 provides only limited protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. It has been reported that the sides of the vehicle can be penetrated by standard Soviet 7.62x39mm rounds fired from an assault rifle. Though the front arc withstands this ammunition. The vehicle is also fitted with a Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) protection system.
The vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, radar operator and driver. The Shilka has a tracked chassis and uses many automotive components of the SU-85 self-propelled artillery system. The vehicles produced until 1970 were fitted with a V-6P diesel, vehicles produced since 1970 are powered by an improved V-6P1 diesel engine, developing 280hp, the ZSU-23-4 is also fitted with auxiliary power unit.
Variants -
▪︎ZSU-23-4V - improved variant developed in 1969.
▪︎ZSU-23-4V1 - improved variant with new fire control system, developed in 1971.
▪︎ZSU-23-4M1 - has improved radar, developed in 1972.
▪︎ZSU-23-4M2 - was optimized for firing against ground targets during Afghanistan war. It had no radar, but carried 3,000 rounds instead of 2,000. This vehicle was used against ground targets. This variant was developed in 1978.
▪︎ZSU-23-4M3 - fitted with friend-or-foe identification system, new fire control system, improved radar and laser rangefinder. This variant has a 74% chance of hitting air targets, comparing with 30% of the baseline model. This variant was developed in 1978.
▪︎ZSU-23-4M4 - upgraded version, fitted with two Igla surface-to-air missiles, new vision devices, improved radar and improved transmission. This variant was developed in 1999.
▪︎Donets - proposed Ukrainian improved variant, fitted with upgraded turret, armed with additional Strela-10M surface-to-air missiles. This variant was mounted on a T-80U main battle tank chassis and had much higher level of protection. It never reached production.
▪︎ZSU-23-4MP Biala - Polish upgrade of the ZSU-23-4 with added Grom anti-aircraft missile and a number of other improvements. Since around 2019 this air defense system used more capable Piorun air defense missiles.
General characteristics -
▪︎Type: Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
▪︎Place of Origin: Soviet Union
▪︎In Service: 1960 to present
▪︎Designed: 1957 to 1960
▪︎Manufacturer: Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant (UMZ) / Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant (MMZ)
▪︎Unit Cost: U.S $357,000 (export price to Libya, 1972/73)
▪︎Produced: 1964 to 1982
▪︎Number Built: About 6,500
▪︎Mass: 19 tonnes / Length: 21ft 5.3in / Width: 10ft 3in / Height: 8ft 5.4in - 11ft 8.6in) with Radar elevated
▪︎Crew: 4 (Commander / Driver / Gunner / Radar Operator
▪︎Armour: Welded steel - 0.36in turret / up to 0.59in hull
▪︎Main Armament: 4 x 23mm 2A7 Autocannons (AZP-23 ''Amur'' Quad Automatic Anti-Aircraft Gun) 2,000 rounds
▪︎Powerplant: V-6R, 6-cylinder 4-stroke airless-injection water-cooled 20-litre diesel engine, 280hp at 2,000rpm
▪︎Power / Weight: 14.7hp / tonne
▪︎Suspension: Individual torsion bar
▪︎Ground Clearance: 14.8in
▪︎Fuel Capacity: 11.2 Imperial gallons
▪︎Operational Range: 280 miles (road) / 186 miles (off-road)
▪︎Maximum Speed: 31mph (road) / 19mph (off-road).
Information sourced from -
1960's ZSU-23-4 Shilka Radar Controlled Anti-Aircraft Gun System, The Muckleburgh Military Collection.
Development of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka began in 1957, the first prototype was completed in 1960. After extensive trials it entered service with the Soviet Army in 1962. Production of the ZSU-23-4 commenced in 1964. It was a very successful design, that was built in large numbers. It was exported to a number of soviet allies. Also this anti-aircraft system saw action during numerous wars. Despite its age the Shilka is still in service with a number of countries worldwide.
The ZSU-23-4 Shilka is armed with quad 23mm machine guns, and is a modified variant of the towed ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun, it has a rate of fire of 3,400 rounds per minute, and also fires the same rounds as the ZU-23. The Shilka is fitted with target surveillance and tracking radar and simple fire control system. Its radar has a tracking range of 3.7 to 6.24 miles, depending on the targets altitude. The baseline Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) has a 30% chance of hitting an air target. The ZSU-23-4 was involved in a number of military conflicts, and has also been extremely effective against ground targets.
The thin armour of the ZSU-23-4 provides only limited protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. It has been reported that the sides of the vehicle can be penetrated by standard Soviet 7.62x39mm rounds fired from an assault rifle. Though the front arc withstands this ammunition. The vehicle is also fitted with a Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) protection system.
The vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, radar operator and driver. The Shilka has a tracked chassis and uses many automotive components of the SU-85 self-propelled artillery system. The vehicles produced until 1970 were fitted with a V-6P diesel, vehicles produced since 1970 are powered by an improved V-6P1 diesel engine, developing 280hp, the ZSU-23-4 is also fitted with auxiliary power unit.
Variants -
▪︎ZSU-23-4V - improved variant developed in 1969.
▪︎ZSU-23-4V1 - improved variant with new fire control system, developed in 1971.
▪︎ZSU-23-4M1 - has improved radar, developed in 1972.
▪︎ZSU-23-4M2 - was optimized for firing against ground targets during Afghanistan war. It had no radar, but carried 3,000 rounds instead of 2,000. This vehicle was used against ground targets. This variant was developed in 1978.
▪︎ZSU-23-4M3 - fitted with friend-or-foe identification system, new fire control system, improved radar and laser rangefinder. This variant has a 74% chance of hitting air targets, comparing with 30% of the baseline model. This variant was developed in 1978.
▪︎ZSU-23-4M4 - upgraded version, fitted with two Igla surface-to-air missiles, new vision devices, improved radar and improved transmission. This variant was developed in 1999.
▪︎Donets - proposed Ukrainian improved variant, fitted with upgraded turret, armed with additional Strela-10M surface-to-air missiles. This variant was mounted on a T-80U main battle tank chassis and had much higher level of protection. It never reached production.
▪︎ZSU-23-4MP Biala - Polish upgrade of the ZSU-23-4 with added Grom anti-aircraft missile and a number of other improvements. Since around 2019 this air defense system used more capable Piorun air defense missiles.
General characteristics -
▪︎Type: Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
▪︎Place of Origin: Soviet Union
▪︎In Service: 1960 to present
▪︎Designed: 1957 to 1960
▪︎Manufacturer: Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant (UMZ) / Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant (MMZ)
▪︎Unit Cost: U.S $357,000 (export price to Libya, 1972/73)
▪︎Produced: 1964 to 1982
▪︎Number Built: About 6,500
▪︎Mass: 19 tonnes / Length: 21ft 5.3in / Width: 10ft 3in / Height: 8ft 5.4in - 11ft 8.6in) with Radar elevated
▪︎Crew: 4 (Commander / Driver / Gunner / Radar Operator
▪︎Armour: Welded steel - 0.36in turret / up to 0.59in hull
▪︎Main Armament: 4 x 23mm 2A7 Autocannons (AZP-23 ''Amur'' Quad Automatic Anti-Aircraft Gun) 2,000 rounds
▪︎Powerplant: V-6R, 6-cylinder 4-stroke airless-injection water-cooled 20-litre diesel engine, 280hp at 2,000rpm
▪︎Power / Weight: 14.7hp / tonne
▪︎Suspension: Individual torsion bar
▪︎Ground Clearance: 14.8in
▪︎Fuel Capacity: 11.2 Imperial gallons
▪︎Operational Range: 280 miles (road) / 186 miles (off-road)
▪︎Maximum Speed: 31mph (road) / 19mph (off-road).
Information sourced from -