ZU-23-2

The ZU-23-2, also known as 'Sergey', is a Soviet-designed 23mm twin-barreled anti-aircraft autocannon. It is widely used by over 100 countries for air defense against low-flying aircraft and lightly armored ground targets.

Developed in the late 1950s to counter low-flying tactical jets, the ZU-23-2 was designed as a more powerful successor to the 14.5mm ZPU series and officially entered Soviet service in 1960. It saw extensive combat during the Vietnam War and the Soviet-Afghan War, where Soviet forces pioneered mounting the weapon on trucks for mobile convoy defense and direct fire support. The system has since been utilized in nearly every major conflict across the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, often adapted into improvised technicals. Today, it remains a ubiquitous battlefield asset, frequently modernized with advanced optronics, laser rangefinders, or paired with short-range missiles to maintain relevance in modern air defense networks.