ZSU-23/4 “Shilka”
The ZSU-23/4 “Shilka” is a lightly armoured, self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft weapon system (SPAAG). ZSU stands for Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka, meaning “anti-aircraft self-propelled mount”, the “23″ signifies the bore diameter in millimetres and the “4″ signifies the number of gun barrels. It is named after the Russian Shilka River.
Based on the GM-575 tracked vehicle chassis, which used components from the PT-76 light amphibious tank, the vehicle weighs 19 tonnes, has a range of 280 miles and a top speed of 31 mph. It mounts an armoured turret holding four liquid-cooled 23 mm (0.9″) 2A7 autocannons linked to an RPK-2 “Tobol” Radar. Each water-cooled autocannon has a cyclic rate of between 850 and 1,000 rounds per minute for a combined rate of fire of 3,400 to 4,000 rpm. The welded turret has a race ring transplanted from a T-54 medium tank which is fully stabilised and capable of firing on the move through a full 360°. The crew numbers four, namely driver, commander, gunner and radar operator.
The ZSU-23/4 was widely fielded throughout the Warsaw Pact, other pro-Soviet states and Middle East states. Around 2,500 ZSU-23/4 from 6,500 produced were exported to 23 countries. ZSU-23/4 units saw active service in the Yom Kippur War (1973) and other Arab-Israeli conflicts, the Iran–Iraq War (1980-1988), and the First Gulf War (1990).
This particular example was captured by 4 Regiment Army Air Corps during Operation Granby in 1991. It is currently on display at The Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop.
