Venezuelan Crews Practice Combat Use of Upgraded Russian-Style ZU-23

During recent exercises on the Venezuelan coast, footage was captured demonstrating the use of deeply modernized ZU-23/30M1-4 anti-aircraft guns in anti-landing defense training. The main focus is on the technical features of the updated weaponry integrated into the coastal firing positions.

The engineering modernization by the Russian enterprise PEMZ "Spetsmash" concerned exclusively electromechanical and electronic components: the original artillery part and combat characteristics remained unchanged. The system retained the ability to engage low-speed aerial targets – from attack helicopters to medium-sized UAVs – at a range of up to 2.5 km and an altitude of up to 1.5 km, both day and night.

The key update is the integration of modern thermal imaging sighting systems, which significantly increased the autonomy and efficiency of the crew's work in conditions of reduced visibility.

The combat part of the ZU-23/30M1-4 includes two 23 mm 2A14 automatic cannons with a rate of fire of up to 1000 rounds per minute per barrel. Ammunition is fed from onboard belt boxes with a capacity of 50 rounds each. The arsenal includes a wide range of ammunition: from high-explosive incendiary to armor-piercing incendiary with tracer. A complete 23×152 mm round weighs about 450 g, and the initial velocity of the projectile reaches 980 m/s.

Of particular interest is the hybrid configuration: the system is equipped with a rail for mounting up to three man-portable air defense systems – "Igla-S" or "Verba". This expands the engagement zone: the range increases from 2.5 to 6.4 km, and the altitude – from 1.5 to 4.5 km. Given these capabilities, the system is capable of sequentially intercepting low-flying cruise missiles such as Tomahawk, including using 9M336 (Verba) or 9M334 (Igla-S) SAMs.

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