Ukraine Revives ZSU-23-4 Shilka Self-Propelled Air Defense Systems to Combat Drone Threats.

According to photos published in 2024 by the 242nd Ukrainian Training Center, air defense training exercises show soldiers training with refurbished Shilka systems. In response to Russia's aggression and within the context of a prolonged conflict, Ukraine has decided to reactivate certain Soviet-era air defense systems, including the ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled 23mm anti-aircraft mobile gun system.
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Ukrainian ZSU-23-4 Shilka Self-Propelled Air Defense Systems (Picture source: Ukraine MoD)

This self-propelled anti-aircraft system, equipped with four 23mm automatic cannons, was initially designed in the 1960s for the Soviet army to neutralize low-flying aircraft. Today, the ongoing war has presented new challenges, making this older system particularly useful against drones that threaten Ukraine's front lines and infrastructure.

In addition to Western-provided anti-aircraft artillery like the German Gepard, the Ukrainian army has utilized Shilkas, which were previously stored and are now being overhauled. Unlike the Polish ZSU-23-4 Biała model, modernized in the early 2000s, the Ukrainian Shilkas do not appear to have received technical upgrades to enhance their capabilities against modern threats.

The Ukrainian version of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka retains much of its original Soviet design, focusing primarily on refurbishment without significant modernization. It is armed with four AZP-23 23mm automatic cannons with a maximum firing rate of 3,400 rounds per minute, effective against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, drones, and certain ground targets at close range. The RPK-2 "Tobol" radar system allows target detection up to 20 km for larger aircraft and engagement at a maximum range of 2.5 km. While autonomous, this radar may struggle with advanced stealth or small UAVs.

The Ukrainian Shilka carries approximately 2,000 rounds of 23mm ammunition, supporting sustained fire in prolonged combat. However, lacking programmable or specialized ammunition, it faces limitations against some modern threats. Mounted on a PT-76 amphibious tracked chassis, this system can reach a maximum road speed of 50 km/h, enhancing mobility across diverse terrains. Yet it lacks thermal imaging and laser rangefinders, limiting accuracy in low-visibility conditions compared to modernized versions like the Polish ZSU-23-4MP Biała. Despite these limitations, the Ukrainian Shilka remains a valuable asset for short-range air defense, providing an affordable solution and effective firepower against older aircraft and less sophisticated UAVs.

Although initially designed for use against aircraft, the Shilka is also highly effective against drones, one of the primary low-intensity aerial threats today. The Shilka's radar can detect smaller targets, like the Shahed drones, widely used in the conflict. Its short-range engagement capabilities make it an economical and versatile weapon for defending strategic Ukrainian positions.

Simultaneously, Russia continues to deploy Soviet-made military equipment to Ukraine, including ZSU-23-4 Shilka units. These systems are fielded for the same close-range air defense role against drones and helicopters. This use of older equipment aligns with the need for reliable resupply of combat units using familiar and proven tools.

In turn, Ukrainian forces also employ German Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles, developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) between 1976 and 1980. Despite their age, Gepards have proven effective against modern aerial threats, including drones, as attested by Ukrainian soldiers. The Gepard, with its 35mm cannons and modern radar, provides a Western alternative to the Shilka.

While the ZSU-23-4 Shilka remains a practical choice for drone and close-range air defense, it does have significant limitations. As an older system, it lacks programmable munitions, limiting its effectiveness against evolving threats. Furthermore, its battlefield mobility and survivability are inferior to more recent systems, making it vulnerable to countermeasures such as electronic jamming and decoys.

To support Ukraine's air defense, Poland supplied several units of the modernized Shilka, known as the ZSU-23-4MP Biała. This delivery, which began in 2023 with an estimated 20 units, includes Shilka models specifically upgraded for modern threats. Unlike the original model, the Biała version features an advanced fire control system with a thermal camera, daytime camera, and laser rangefinder, enhancing target detection and tracking, particularly for drones. Additionally, this Polish version is equipped with Grom missiles, extending engagement range and improving effectiveness against distant aerial threats, while retaining the Shilka's 23mm cannons. These upgrades make the ZSU-23-4MP Biała a versatile and battlefield-ready system, well-suited to countering the growing drone threat.

The restoration of ZSU-23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft systems by Ukraine reflects a vital strategy in response to current threats, marked by the proliferation of low-cost drones and limitations of traditional air defense. Compared to modern and expensive systems, Shilkas provide a more economical solution against drone attacks, a critical approach in prolonged conflicts like this one, where defense saturation by drones is frequent. This adapted defense strategy, combining legacy systems with modern needs, highlights the importance of a complementary air defense network in attrition warfare, which could inspire new, affordable upgrades to inherited systems to counter low-cost threats effectively.