- Yes
- No
Hello, and welcome to my suggestion. Today I would like to suggest a upgrade to a well know SPAAG protecting the sky for over 80 years! This upgrade brings it up to standards of modern systems, and allows it to engage one of the most dangerous threats of the current battlefields, Drones.
History
In the 1950s, the Soviet Army realized that existing air defense systems, such as the ZSU-57-2, were outdated by the increasingly fast and maneuverable combat aircraft and helicopters. This led to the development of a more advanced system that could operate in all weather conditions and be effective against fast aircraft. The new gun was to have an improved fire control system, an increased rate of fire, and the ability to operate on the move. The resault of said development was a ZSU-23-4, equipped with 4 23mm guns and a radar, allowing for a precise stream of fire exactly where it was needed.
India bought 100 of Shilka vehicles in the 1970s and used them over the years. Currently the main SPAAG of the Indian army is a 2S6 Tunguska, while Shilkas were redirected to protecting less important assets. However, as time passed, the threat presented on the current battlefield by drones, small agile flying crafts, became evident. That forced the Indian Army to take action. Bharat Electronics Limited, in cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries, designed an upgrade to the already obsolite 75 Shilka vehicles, tuning them into an anti-drone role. The vehicle was upgraded with a new engine producing 364 hp, a new APU, a new operator console, and the most important part of the upgrade, AESA radar with an IR camera, a TV camera, and a laser rangefinder. All of those upgrades allow the new and improved Shilka to protect the sky once again.
Now that History is out of the way, time to talk about specifications.
Lenght: 7,5m
Width: 3,1m
Height: 4m
Weight: 21 tonnes
Engine: Caterpillar diesel producing 364 hp
Gearbox: 5 forward, 1 backwards
Max speed: 50km/h
4 Crew: Driver, Gunner, Radar Operator and Commander
Protection:
Hull: 9mm front, 9mm side, 7mm rear
Turret: 9mm front, 9mm side, 9mm rear
Horizontal limits: 360° rotation
Turret rotation speed: 70°/s
Vertical limits: -4° +85°
Elevation speed: 60°/s
Stabilized: Yes
Radar: ELM-2026BF
Type: 3D AESA radar
Band: IEEE: X NATO: I
Scan rate: 30 rpm
Detection range: 40km
Track range:
Plane: 20km
Micro Drone: 5,2km
Limits:
Horizontall: 360°
Vertical: 30° in ESA SRC, 60° in ESA TWS, -10° +90° mechanical + ESA in STT.
Accuracy:
0,5° Az EL in TWS
2 mrad in STT
Minimal detection velocity: 2,5m/s
Features
Sensor fusion
100+ targets TWS
IFF
Cueing of short range missiles
Advanced ECCM capabilities
IRST: TVD Gen 3
TV camera
IRST range: 8km
LRF
Stabilized: Yes
Guns: 4x AZP 23 cannon
Effective range: 2500m
Ammuniton count: 2000 bullets
Ammuntion type: API-T, HEF-I
Stabilized: Yes
This sums up this suggestion. This vehicle, with its punchy guns, great reaction time, and a strong radar makes it a force to be reckoned with.
Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K_x2993OlI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NaQvtBUxLQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdHsnPiXyrM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0G7t3SH1Gk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4wu9gKXRUg
Sources
ELM-2026BF brochure
https://www.iai.co.il/p/schilka
Schilka Upgrade - BEL
https://defense-update.com/20090315_zsu23-4.html
New engine and radar with AFAR: India has carried out another modernization of the Soviet ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"
BEL Upgrades ZSU-23-4 Shilka | Indian Defence News
https://armyrecognition.com/focus-analysis-conflicts/army/defence-security-industry-technology/indian-army-presents-new-upgrade-of-zsu-23-4-shilka-23mm-anti-aircraft-tracked-armored
Upgraded ZSU-23-4 Shilka to get Hybrid Anti-Drone System developed by Indian Army – Indian Defence Research Wing
Indian Army is deploying upgraded Shilka with anti-drone system against Pakistan – Indian Defense Analysis
Indian Army’s Airawat Gagan Rakshaks validate Shilka Anti-Aircraft Weapon to prepare for future wars | Republic World