ADEX 2024 – Azerbaijan modernizes military equipment of Soviet design
A significant place at ADEX 2024 was occupied by Azerbaijani equipment of Soviet design currently undergoing deep modernization, with the participation of both national and foreign companies.
The Azerbaijani Sumgait Technologies Park (STP) teamed up with the Czech Czechoslovak Group (CSG) to modernize 23 ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which are in service with the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.
One of these systems was presented at the static display. The ZSU-23-4 was equipped with a rotary radar station (RLS), which can detect targets with an effective radar cross-section (RCS) of 1 m2 at a distance of 20 km, with an RCS of 0.1 m2 within a radius of 10 km, and with an RCS of 0.01 m2 at 7 km.
According to the company, the radar can simultaneously track up to 100 targets, the tracking range of targets with an RCS of 1 m2, 0.1 m2 and 0.01 m2 is 15, 7 and 4 km respectively. The new digital fire control system installed on the modernized Shilka is used to calculate the deviation angle for effective target destruction.
The ZSU also received the COAPS-L optronic complex with a built-in video tracker from Elbit Systems of Israel for air targets visual identification. Detection, recognition and identification (DRI) for day channel is 12.5, 7.2 and 4.3 km while DRI for thermal channel is 20, 8.2 and 4.1 km.
The upgraded Shilka is also fitted with a VRC-950 radio station also by Elbit Systems. To the left of the Shilka turret several antennas for directional radio interference could be seen.
A new digital fire control system consisting of multifunctional 3D radar with digital antenna array, specialized digital computing system, automation and communication equipment and GPS navigation, orientation and leveling system has been installed.
While the powerpack remains the same based on the V-6R1 6-cylinder diesel engine which provides a 280 Hp output, the auxiliary power unit has been replaced. The original DG4M-1 radial gas turbine used to drive generators for electronics gave way to a Lombardini LDW 1404 35.5 Hp liquid cooled diesel engine. As for firepower, the upgraded Azerbaijani Shilka should receive short-range anti-aircraft missiles.
At the static display the Azerbaijani Umud Technologies MMC showcased a new version of the upgraded Osa anti-aircraft missile system (SAM), the 9A33MB Osa-MB. The main feature of this system is the ability to detect a fighter-type target at a range of up to 60 km (the previous version 9A33BM2 (3) had a range of 45 km). According to the company, the upgraded SAM system can simultaneously track up to 150 targets, which it can attack at a distance of 1.5 to 12 km and altitudes of 25 to 6,000 metres. The maximum speed of an intercepted target is 650 m/s, the reaction time is 8-14 seconds, and the probability of hitting an air target with one missile is 0.42-0.9. The probability of 0.9 for one missile seems questionable and is more typical for hitting a target when launching two missiles.
Additionally, the system received an optronic infrared system for automatic visual tracking of air targets in daylight and darkness.
Azerbaijani T-72A Aslan tanks also received improvements based on the experience of the SVO (Specialnaya Voennaya Operatsia) in Ukraine. The upgraded tanks underwent major upgrades taking into account the remaining life of the chassis and gun, and were also equipped with new subsystems. The combat vehicle, upgraded jointly with Elbit Systems, was fitted with a modern multi-channel sighting system, the latest Israeli-developed fire control system. To improve protection against attacks by anti-tank missiles and loitering munitions Kontakt-5 active armor modules were fitted on the turret and sides; moreover screens and nets were installed to protect the tank from top-attack threats. The installed anti-drone protection does not interfere with the rotation of the turret.
The Elbit Systems‘ TIFCS (Thermal Imaging Fire Control System) installed on the upgraded T-72A tank is a fully automated fire control system (FCS), increasing the combat effectiveness at night and in poor visibility conditions.
The thermal imaging camera operates in the 8-12 µm wavelength range and has two fields of view. The wide field of view (WFOW) is used to detect targets at ranges up to 5,000 metres, while the narrow field of view (NFOW) ensures target recognition at ranges of up to 3,000 metres, and target identification at ranges up to 2,000 metres.
The modernization of T-72A tanks is carried out at the production facilities of the Azerbaijani SPG (Special Production Group) in Baku. As EDR On-Line was told by SPG representatives, all Armenian T-72 tanks captured in Nagorno-Karabakh will undergo modernisation, as well as those tanks that were found hidden in the forests of the region that came under the control of Azerbaijan.
Photos taken at ADEX 2024 by N. Novichkov
