The combat vehicles are armed with a quadruple 23mm AZP-23 “Amur” cannon, which has a maximum firing range of 2000 meters. The rate of fire is up to 1000 rounds per minute per barrel. Engine power – 280 CV The maximum speed on the highway is 50 km/h. Power reserve over rough terrain – 300 km.
The thickness of the armor in the frontal part of the hull is up to 15 mm. Combat weight – 19000 kg. Crew – four people.
They were involved in more than two dozen armed conflicts, beginning with the so-called “War of Attrition” in the Suez Canal zone in 1969-70. They fought in Vietnam, in the Middle East, including in October 1973 and in the summer of 1982. Interestingly, the captured “Shilka” served the Israeli army for a long time.
They were also part of the armed forces of Iran and Iraq, which fought each other for eight long years. It was in this confrontation that such equipment was actively used not only to repel attacks from the air, but also to disrupt infantry attacks.
A limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan actively used the ZSU-23-4. They defended airspace, were included in transport convoys, were on duty at checkpoints, and went into combat operations.
In accordance with the gained combat experience, a modification specially adapted to local conditions was created, which had twice the ammunition load – up to four thousand shells. The electronic equipment was dismantled and a new night sight was installed.
Another critical point where the Shilki became fire support vehicles was Syria. In 2011, the rebels, supported by foreign centers, tried to seize power in the country.
Anti-aircraft self-propelled guns, which were part of the government troops, began to be actively used in the fight against terrorists. For effective operations in the dark, thermal imaging scopes were installed, including those developed by Syrian specialists and called Viper (“Viper”). They detect targets up to four kilometers away.
Part of the machines received hinged containers with filling, anti-cumulative lattice screens with chains. To improve firepower, they began to mount guides to launch unguided rockets.
Other samples belonging to the Republican Guard were equipped with solid plates located at angles, creating the effect of multi-layer armor.
The “Shilki” updated in this way demonstrated a higher level of protection compared to conventional vehicles. As a result, the Syrian troops have achieved a significant reduction in losses.
