ZAK Oerlikon GDF-005 in Ukraine: first loss or confusion?
Anti-aircraft artillery complex Oerlikon GDF-005 of one of the foreign armies. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Over the past two years, the Kiev regime has received a wide variety of anti-aircraft systems and complexes from abroad. The bulk of such products were delivered openly and with preliminary announcement. However, some items could have been transferred secretly and without publicity. Thus, it is assumed that Swiss-made Oerlikon GDF-005 anti-aircraft artillery systems, the supply of which was previously considered impossible, have appeared in Ukraine.
Unconfirmed assumption
On March 29, the famous blogger Kirill Fedorov published a new video on his Telegram channel demonstrating the use of the Lancet series loitering ammunition. The video included footage of an attack on a ground target, filmed by the second UAV, which was responsible for reconnaissance and control of the use of BB, as well as recording from the camera of the attacking vehicle. Unfortunately, the video is not of high quality and contains digital noise and watermarks.
The target for the strike was a ground object of an unknown type. The presence of a camouflage network and the quality of the video do not allow us to reliably determine its class or type. However, the camouflage did not prevent our operator from aiming the Lancet, and the object was destroyed by the explosion. As a result of the explosion of the BB, a small fire started. There are no other explosions or secondary detonations in the published video.
The destruction of a Ukrainian object, presumably ZAK GDF-005. The larger frame is a view from a reconnaissance UAV, bottom left is a photograph taken by the Lancet camera. Still from Telegram video / K. Fedorov
Referring to the fighters participating in the Special Operation who provided the video, K. Fedorov writes that the target for the strike was presumably the GDF-005 anti-aircraft artillery system manufactured by Rheinmetall Air Defense AG (formerly Oerlikon Contraves). However, there is no confirmation of this version yet. Perhaps in the future our fighters will be able to get to the wreckage of the affected object and determine exactly what it was before the arrival of the Lancet.
Apparently, the assumption that the enemy had a GDF-005 ZAK was made based on the results of reconnaissance and study of its positions before the strike. For one reason or another, the operator drone- the reconnaissance officer could identify one of the objects as a towed anti-aircraft gun of a foreign type.
By secret ways
Information about the possible appearance of the Oerlikon GDF-005 complex or complexes in Ukraine is of certain interest. The fact is that such equipment was not previously transferred to the Kyiv regime. Moreover, it was openly stated that it was impossible for any foreign countries to supply it.
Back in 2022, several European countries expressed a desire to transfer Oerlikon guns made in Switzerland to the Ukrainian air defense. However, re-export of such products, in accordance with the agreement on their original supply, is possible only with the permission of the manufacturing country. And already in 2022, the Swiss authorities banned the transfer weapon and ammunition of its own production to the Kyiv regime.
Hitting a ground target. Still from Telegarm video / K. Fedorov
At the beginning of last year, Spain made a new attempt to organize supplies of Oerlikon products to Ukraine. Then we were talking about 35-mm artillery mounts of an unnamed type, probably the GDF series. In mid-February, Madrid, like other capitals, received a refusal. Subsequently, various consultations and negotiations were conducted, but no one received permission to re-export Swiss anti-aircraft artillery.
Now it is assumed that the GDF-005 product somehow managed to get to Ukraine, and several explanations for such events can be found. The simplest thing is that foreign partners and Switzerland nevertheless agreed on the re-export of existing complexes. In addition, the Swiss authorities could change their position and independently sell/transfer weapons to the Kyiv regime. It also cannot be ruled out that some foreign army operating the Oerlikons ignored the ban and sent the systems to Ukraine in secret from everyone.
However, a simpler explanation should not be rejected for now. The availability of GDF-005 products in Ukraine is only assumed, but not confirmed. UAV operators carrying out reconnaissance and strike could simply confuse a foreign installation with another model of a similar class. At the same time, the found target was successfully hit and destroyed - and now there is not much difference what exactly it was before.
Guns in Ukraine
Switzerland opposed (and perhaps still opposes) the re-export of its GDF series anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine. Nevertheless, Oerlikon automatic guns still came into the possession of the Kyiv regime, and in fairly large quantities. They were transferred as part of foreign-assembled artillery systems and complexes, in the production of which Switzerland participated only as a supplier of key components.
Oerlikon KD gun, modifications of which are used as part of various ZAK and ZSU. Photo by Rheinmetall Defense
Almost two years ago, at the end of April 2022, the German leadership announced its intention to help Kyiv with the supply of Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Initially, it was about fifty cars, but then the volume of future deliveries was increased. Over the next few months, deliveries began, and by the fall of the same year, the ZSU began combat duty. Subsequently, the Kiev regime even reported on their military successes - with exaggeration in its characteristic manner.
According to open sources, to date the Ukrainian air defense has received up to fifty Gepard products. More than 90 more cars are expected from several countries. In addition, after a number of difficulties and problems, foreign partners have established the supply of 35x228 mm ammunition. Where possible, new batches of shots are provided from time to time.
"Cheetah" is a combat vehicle on a modified chassis tank Leopard 1 with original turret carrying fire control radars and weapons. The ZSU is armed with two 35-mm KDA-type Oerlikon automatic cannons in swinging casings.
About a year ago, in February 2023, it became known that Germany would send Skynex and Skyguard anti-aircraft systems produced by Rheinmetall to Ukraine. These products are made in the form of self-propelled systems on a truck chassis and carry one 35-mm Oerlikon cannon.
Ukrainian Gepard installation. Photo Telegram / "Vestnik Air Defense"
In all cases we are talking about 35-mm rifled automatic guns with barrels 90 klb long. Such guns use belt feed and have a rate of fire of 550 rounds/min. on the trunk. The sighting range when firing at air targets reaches 3,5-4 km. Can be used against ground targets in the same range. The ammunition load includes unitary rounds with high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing shells. Guns of later modifications can use projectiles with programmable detonation.
Efficiency Issues
According to known data, foreign anti-aircraft systems with Swiss-made guns suffer significant losses. Some of the delivered Cheetahs were destroyed by various fire weapons of the Russian army. There is also information about the defeat of at least one Skyguard product. At the level of unconfirmed speculation, the destruction of the GDF-005 product. It is obvious that the losses of the Ukrainian air defense will not be limited to this, and the remaining equipment will face the same fate.
It is curious that all or almost all of these ZAKs were destroyed by air strikes - they were hit aviation or kamikaze drones. This fact indicates the low combat qualities of foreign air defense systems and their inability to even protect themselves, not to mention cover troops or ground targets.
The main problems in this context are related to the means of illuminating the air situation, searching for targets and fire control. The radars of foreign ZAK and ZSU cannot detect incoming UAVs or missiles in a timely manner, and control systems are not able to quickly respond to such a threat. In such a situation, the type of weapon and its tactical and technical characteristics do not matter - in some situations the complex or installation simply does not have time to use them.
Promotional image of the Skynex self-propelled complex. Photo by Rheinmetall Defense
If the Oerlikon GDF-005 ZAK was indeed captured in a recent video from the front, then it repeated the fate of other Ukrainian systems. The Lancet operator was able to hit such a target without any opposition from it.
Clear future
Thus, the ever-shrinking fleet of Ukrainian air defense systems could be secretly replenished with Swiss-made artillery systems. However, the imported model had already come under attack and was destroyed - like many other ZAKs and ZSUs before it. The fact of the defeat was recorded by a reconnaissance drone. However, this episode leaves some questions, and we should still wait for information about what exactly hit the Russian warhead.
At the same time, the type of target included in a recent video is not of fundamental importance. This video, like many others like it, primarily shows the superiority of the Russian army in reconnaissance and strike weapons, as well as the inability of the Ukrainian air defense to fully solve its problems. This gives reason for optimism and allows us to expect that the demilitarization of the Kyiv regime will continue successfully.
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