Anti-aircraft installations M75 in Ukraine: useless help from an unknown country
M75 installations somewhere in Ukraine. Photo Telegram / BMPD
Foreign countries are actively transferring various weapons and equipment to Ukraine, but in the vast majority of cases these are outdated models, incl. taken out of service. Another example of such "help" became known a few days ago. An unknown foreign country sent to Ukraine obsolete 20-mm anti-aircraft guns M75 of Yugoslav production.
Outdated novelty
Earlier, foreign countries have repeatedly reported plans to send military-technical assistance to Ukraine in the form of anti-aircraft systems and artillery. However, no one has yet announced the delivery of M75 installations with small-caliber guns. This episode of assistance took place without prior publicity and therefore acquires a special form.
In the last days of October, a curious photograph taken on Ukrainian positions was distributed on specialized resources. It depicted two light anti-aircraft artillery mounts on wheels, some auxiliary equipment and crews. Where and when this photo was taken is unknown, but it can be assumed that the picture is no more than a few days or weeks old.
It is not difficult to determine the type of installations. Judging by their appearance, these are Yugoslav-made M55 products or their improved version of the M75. Soon a clarification appeared: it was reported that Ukraine was given a later version of the installation.
Installing the M75 in firing position. Photo Mjlmilitaria.com
Where the outdated installations came from is unknown. Similar weapon a number of European countries had or have, but none of them had previously reported a desire to give them to Ukraine. Also unknown is the allocated number of weapons, the timing of their appearance, distribution among Ukrainian units and subdivisions, etc.
It should be noted that the lack of information of this kind does not prevent us from drawing conclusions now. The situation looks quite simple. Another foreign "ally" provided the Kyiv regime with military-technical "assistance" of a dubious nature. He was given long-outdated systems with limited performance and minimal value.
Long story
History The Yugoslav M75 anti-aircraft gun dates back to the early forties, when the Swiss company Hispano-Suiza (Suisse) SA began a deep modernization of the 20-mm HS.404 automatic gun. The new gun with the index HS.804 was intended for use on ground and air platforms. During its development, it was planned to correct the shortcomings of the base sample and improve the main characteristics. The new gun was brought to the series already in 1943-44.
In 1951, Yugoslavia acquired a license for the independent production of an anti-aircraft installation in the form of a HS.804 gun and a towed gun carriage HSS.630. The organization of production at the Crvena Zastava enterprise took several years, and the installation entered service with the Yugoslav People's Army only in 1955. The licensed version of the product received the index 20/1 mm M55.
Receiver, magazine and gunner's place close-up. Photo Mjlmilitaria.com
Already in the mid-fifties, it became clear that an installation with one 20-mm gun could not fight modern aviation. In this regard, the development of a new modification of the M55 with three guns began. For a number of reasons, work on this product was completed only in the early seventies. The resulting M55A2 installation was further upgraded using various system devices, incl. own engine for movement.
In the mid-seventies, a slight modernization of the existing single-barrel systems was carried out. The resulting sample was again designated by the year of appearance - M75. With its help, the remaining single-barrel installations of the basic version were replaced as soon as possible.
During the collapse of Yugoslavia, the M55 / M75 anti-aircraft guns, like other JNA weapons, went to the newly formed states. All these weapons were actively used in the outbreak of civil wars. Some of the products were destroyed in battles, disposed of after the end of the war or transferred to museums, but some installations survived and remained in the armies.
As it has now become known, a certain number of them still remained in service or in storage in individual countries. Now the unknown owners have decided to donate their M75 launchers to the Kyiv regime - either as a help or to get rid of useless and unnecessary property.
Technical features
The M75 is a light towed anti-aircraft gun. Its design as a whole repeated the original Swiss development, but had minor differences aimed at improving performance or optimizing production.
View from the gunner. Photo Mjlmilitaria.com
The installation was equipped with a licensed gun HS.804. It was a 20-mm gun with a rifled barrel 70 klb long and automation based on gas removal. The technical rate of fire reached 800 rds / min. The initial speed of the projectile, depending on the type, is up to 800-850 m / s. The effective range of fire against an air target reached 1-1,5 km.
The gun used unitary shots 20x110 mm with high-explosive fragmentation, high-explosive incendiary, armor-piercing, etc. shells. Armor-piercing ammunition at a distance of effective range made it possible to hit light armored vehicles. The supply of shells was carried out from drum or box magazines of various capacities. The most widely used drums for 60 shells, which had the optimal combination of convenience and capacity.
The carriage for the M75 had a simplified design and was notable for its simplicity. The lower carriage machine had three sliding beds, and was also equipped with a removable wheel drive. The design allowed both full deployment with the installation of frames on the ground, and firing from wheels. The upper carriage machine had mounts for the gun, a support for the sight and a gunner's seat. The aiming was controlled by two handles. The carriage design provided circular horizontal guidance. Elevation angles - from -8° to +83°.
Installation M75 in combat position (when installed on the ground) weighed 232 kg. In the stowed position, with a wheel drive for towing by a car, the mass reached 275 kg. Any vehicle capable of towing such a load and simultaneously transporting five or six crew members with ammunition could be used as a tractor.
Complete obsolescence
The transfer of M75 anti-aircraft guns to the Kyiv regime looks like a curiosity or an evil irony. Such products are morally obsolete almost by the time of their appearance, and their use in a modern conflict does not make sense. These installations can only be a forced measure in the absence of any newer alternatives.
Wheel shooting. Graphics from the installation manual
The M55/M75 have long since fallen short of their primary mission and are unable to deal with modern airborne threats. The installations are equipped with the simplest sights and are manually controlled, which simply does not allow accurate fire on a moving aircraft. At the same time, the installation of any means of fire control is not possible.
The effective use of 20-mm guns against armored vehicles is also in question. The HS.804 is still capable of penetrating the armor of some light vehicles. However, the calculation of the gun is unlikely to be able to notice and attack the armored vehicle first, and also not fall under return fire. At the same time, the lack of armor cover increases the risks for the gunner and loaders.
The only way to improve the fighting qualities of the old M75 is to install it on a car. Such a "self-propelled gun" will have acceptable mobility, and can also receive reservations. However, its effectiveness is questionable. In fact, it will only be able to operate until the first encounter with a larger caliber gun, aircraft missile, etc.
Landfill for disposal
A few months ago, the leadership of the Kyiv regime called on foreign states to make Ukraine a testing ground for new weapons. Indeed, some "allies" took advantage of this opportunity and sent modern products to be tested in a real conflict. However, other states used Ukraine as a landfill for the disposal of unnecessary property.
Despite all the assurances, mainly old products and samples are supplied to Ukraine, incl. long outdated morally and physically. Yugoslav-made M75 anti-aircraft guns became another example of such "help". They have no special prospects and will not help the Ukrainian formations. But the unknown country that provided these products was solving other issues, and it is hardly interested in the real benefits of the installations.
Information