Soviet-made ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which could theoretically be used against drones, are now rarely seen in the special military operation zone.

The Telegram channel Voyenny Osvedomitel noted that serial production of these vehicles ended back in 1982. In the decades that followed, the remaining Shilkas were supplied to allied states and used extensively in various conflicts. As a result, the service life of most systems has been almost completely exhausted.

According to the channel, many of the vehicles that could still move and fire in some capacity were no longer fully functional air defense assets. By the 2010s, the once-large stockpiles left after production ended had effectively run dry.

A limited number of relatively usable ZSU-23-4 systems were still found after the start of the special military operation. However, the most serviceable vehicles were quickly sent into combat. They were reportedly used not as full-fledged air defense systems, but as fire-support weapons.

The authors argue that even if such systems are available, several problems emerge at once. There are too few of them, and crews must first be trained even to engage slow-moving drones. For effective use against aerial targets, the Shilka also requires serious modernization.

This would involve installing modern detection and guidance systems, automatic target-lock capability, and potentially missile blocks from MANPADS. Such upgrades would require time, available industrial capacity, and the vehicles themselves.

The authors added that the ZSU-23-4 was replaced by more modern systems for a reason. Its anti-aircraft fire does not guarantee that a target will be destroyed, including because of the limitations of its 23 mm caliber.