Poland could not find a replacement for the Soviet "Shilkas"

Anti-aircraft self-propelled guns "Shilka", having turned into ZSU-23-4MP Biała, will continue to serve in the land forces of the armed forces of Poland.

It is reported that the machines under a new contract for 10430 million zlotys will be repaired and serviced until the end of November 2024. These measures will make it possible to maintain the existing equipment in a combat-ready condition.

This version of the famous Soviet means of military air defense, named after the Belaya River, appeared in the first decade of the XXI century. New optoelectronic means of passive detection of targets with the possibility of their automatic tracking, a digital fire control system were introduced on it, and communication means were also replaced.

Due to the greater automation of work, the number of crew has been reduced from four to three military personnel. The modified 23-mm ammunition allowed to increase the distance of hitting air targets by 1000 meters.

Firepower has been enhanced by the introduction of four Grom anti-aircraft missile launchers, which have been produced since 1995 as a variant of the Russian portable Igla complex. Firing range: from 500 to 5500 m, height: from 10 to 3500 m. The flight speed is 580 m/s. The weight of the rocket is 10.25 kg, including the warhead - 1.27 kg.

In total, there are currently twenty-one such ZSU in separate anti-aircraft batteries of armored and mechanized brigades, and seven unmodernized samples are also in the troops.

Previously, a lot was written about the creation of Loara air defense self-propelled guns in Poland based on RT-91 tanks (T-72 version). They were armed with two 35 mm guns. However, despite the seemingly successful tests conducted in the late 90s, the project was closed, deciding to focus on cheaper modernization of Soviet "Shilok".

Alexey Moiseev