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From 18 to 0.2 seconds for target processing: Come Back Alive Foundation has modernized 16 anti-aircraft artillery systems

19 Dec 2025, 14:28
reading time
5 min reading

The modernization cost 400 mln hryvnias and became one of the largest contract of the Foundation. The modernized “Shilkas” are already in the brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. They have passed practical tests and are proving their effectiveness on combat duty.

The army needs more short-range air defence systems to protect critical infrastructure. However, new anti-aircraft systems are expensive, as are the ammunition for them. “Shilka” works with ammunition, which is currently in abundance both in Ukraine and our international partners.

“Shilka” is a self-propelled anti-aircraft installation with four automatic cannons, designed to combat air targets. Such equipment has been used in many armed conflicts. The “Shilkas” that Ukraine has in its arsenal needed modernization and better adaptation to new combat conditions.

Thanks to donations from benefactors, it was possible to:

  • replace outdated radar detection stations with modern and multifunctional ones;
  • install digital fire control systems instead of analog ones;
  • add navigation systems, converters, etc.

After the modernization, the target processing time was reduced from 18 to 0.2 seconds, and the maximum detection range more than doubled. And if earlier the “Shilka” could track only one target, now it can track up to 20 simultaneously.

This is the second Come Back Alive Foundation project to upgrade anti-aircraft systems. In 2024, the Foundation invested more than 14 million hryvnias in the modernization of the “Osa-AKM” — an anti-aircraft missile system (AMS), the main task of which is to shoot down enemy drones, helicopters, airplanes and missiles.