The ZU-23-2 is a highly versatile, twin-barreled, towed anti-aircraft gun developed by the Soviet Union in the late 1950s. Designed primarily to provide low-altitude air defense, the system is helpful against lightly armored ground targets and infantry. Its simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness have made it one of the world's most widely used air defense systems.
Country users: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, North Korea, Poland, Syria, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Yemen.
Technical Data
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Armament and Sight System
The ZU-23-2 is armed with two 2A14 23 mm automatic cannons mounted on a lightweight trailer that can be quickly converted into a stationary firing platform. In the firing position, the wheels are moved aside to ensure stability. The system can transition from a traveling configuration to combat readiness in just 30 seconds, and in emergency scenarios, it can be fired directly from the traveling position. Each automatic cannon is fitted with a flash suppressor and a top-mounted handle to facilitate rapid barrel replacement.
The ZU-23-2 is effective against various targets. It can engage low-flying aircraft and helicopters at a range of 2.5 km and is also capable of targeting lightly armored ground vehicles at a range of 2 km, making it ideal for both direct troop support and the defense of strategic locations.
For aiming, the system uses the ZAP-23 optical-mechanical sight, which processes manually entered target data to provide limited automatic aiming. Additionally, it is equipped with a straight-tube telescope for engaging ground targets such as infantry and lightly armored vehicles.
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Ammunition
The ZU-23-2 uses two main types of fixed ammunition to address its versatile combat roles: Armor-Piercing Incendiary-Tracer (API-T) and High-Explosive Incendiary-Tracer (HEI-T). The API-T rounds are specifically designed for engaging armored targets and low-flying aircraft, while the HEI-T rounds are effective against lightly armored vehicles and soft targets. Ammunition is fed into the system using conveyor belts connected to two side-mounted ammunition boxes, each with a capacity of 50 rounds. This configuration ensures a steady supply of ammunition during sustained engagements. Fumes produced during firing are vented through side openings in the barrels to improve safety and performance, reducing barrel wear and maintaining operational reliability.
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Mobility
The ZU-23-2 is highly mobile and can be towed by various light vehicles, most commonly the 4x4 GAZ-69. The system is mounted on a two-wheeled carriage with rubber tires for road transport. When deployed for combat, the wheels are raised, and the system is stabilized using three screw-type leveling jacks. This configuration ensures stable and accurate firing, even on uneven terrain, while allowing for rapid redeployment to meet changing battlefield needs.
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Combat Use
The ZU-23-2 is a versatile and effective weapon system with multiple combat applications. It is primarily designed for air defense, engaging low-flying aircraft and helicopters in close-range combat. Additionally, it serves as a capable ground support weapon, targeting lightly armored vehicles, infantry, and unarmored threats. Its compact design and rapid deployment capabilities make it ideal for protecting critical infrastructure and troop positions from a variety of air and ground threats. These attributes have cemented the ZU-23-2’s reputation as a reliable and adaptable weapon system in armed forces worldwide.
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