Thread by @DefenseNigeria

The Nigerian army should consider aquiring the Turkish made Korkut 35mm short range self propelled anti-aircraft artillery, to replace the Soviet era ZSU Shilker as part of its force modernization program.

The Korkut air defence artillery is designed to engage low flying aircafts, helicopters, drones and missile. Its 35mm automatic cannon can engage ground targets at a range of over 30km. It has an auto electronic station designed to capture targets in all weather conditions.

The turret of the vehicle has an automated ammunition supply system that can switch from high explosive incendiary rounds to tracer rounds in as little as 12 seconds. Its two weapons station can fire up to 1,100 rounds a minute. up to a range of 4km.

Its search radar covers an area of up to 70km. It is a fully amphibious system. Which means it can propel itself in deep waters and rivers.

What you have is a Point Defence weapon that is virtually impregnable, and a Hunter Killer weapon that can see targets miles away

and engage them from standoff distances of up to 4km, search up ambush points and cross the waters of Lake Chad during heavy rains to delivery a knockout punch on ISWAP.

The Shilka was introduced into the northeast theatre because of its sheer firepower. When its quad barelled guns are used on a depressed trajectory, it is deadly against enemy light armoured vehicles.

But there are limitations. Its outdated. Lacks search and track radars.

Contemplate a system that is optimized for conventional and assymetric warfare. In an assymetric battlefield it can spot targets on radar 70km out and engage them at 4km. It can operate during sandstorms or heavy downpour, set up ambushes, conduct armed reconnaissance.

Make no mistake, the ZSU Shilka still remains a much feared triple A gun for pilots of low flying aircarfts. As a matter of fact, until the late 90s no anti aircraft gunnery platform in NATO inventory could match the lethality that was the Shilka.

Egypt and Nigeria are the first African countries to aquire the Shilka.

Egypt aquired the Shilka when the Israeli airforce destroyed a 3rd of the Egyptian air force planes in a surprise attack during the Yum Kipur war. Catching them on the ground.

Nigeria aquired the Shilka for force protection. In a conflict scenario, enemy aircafts will try to limit the effectiveness of Nigeria's mechanized infantry. The Shilka was acquired to protect Nigerian tanks and armoured forces from rotary and fixed winged low flying aircraft.