ZU 23 Anti Aircraft Gun

The ZSU-23-2 anti aircraft gun system comprises twin 23mm 2A14 Afanasyev-Yakushev cannons on a towed two-wheel carriage. The cannons are mounted side-by-side between large ring type trunions are distinguished by having prominent muzzle flash suppressers. In the firing position the ZSU-23-2 anti aircraft gun system is levelled by jacks and stabilized on a three-point base. Ammunition is fed from box magazines mounted on the outside of each trunion. The weapon is painted olive drab. The wheels, sighting equipment and ammunition stowage boxes are missing. Left barrel is inscribed with number 5810-623-170-7783, and the right hand barrel with 2756-295-126-140. The receiver cover of the left hand gun is no A588, while that on the right is A652. The carriage is incribed with no 468, while the sight carrier is number 2427.

This weapon was one of a number of weapons taken by Australian special operations forces serving in Afghanistan in 2006. The weapons were originally secured in Camp Russell to be destroyed either on the firing range or as targets by the appropriate authorities. Introduced in 1964 the ZU-23 was a lightweight air-transportable anti-aircraft gun system.