AZP S-60

In the late 1940s, the Soviets started to develop a 57 mm anti-aircraft gun, to replace its 37 mm M1939 guns. Three models were presented, and the winning design was made by V. G. Grabin. According to Western intelligence sources, the German prototype gun 5.5 cm Gerät 58 formed the basis for the design.{{cite web |title=AZP S-60 Anti-Aircraft Gun |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=162916 |website=HMdb.org |access-date=24 March 2023}} The Soviets were also able to study earlier German 5 cm FlaK 41 guns that had been captured following the Battle of Stalingrad.

The prototype passed the field tests in 1946 and was accepted into service in 1950, after some minor modifications. The anti-aircraft gun was given the name 57 mm AZP S-60. Grabin continued the development and fielded the SPAAG version ZSU-57-2 in 1955.

The fire direction device was developed from the German Lambda calculator ({{ill|Kommandogerät 40|de}}, 40A, and 40B) and was called PUAZO-5A. It had also a distance measuring device called D-49. The fire direction was also made more effective by including Grom-2 (10 cm wavelength) radars with the AA batteries. The whole system was called SON-9. Later on, the calculators would be changed into the more modern RPK-1 Vaza, which had been designed by M. M. Kositskin. The calculator and the radars were transported by Ural-375 trucks.

The 57 mm gun replaced the 37 mm divisional guns in Soviet service in the 1950s. A divisional anti-aircraft regiment consisted of two AA-batteries with six 57 mm guns each. The PVO air-defence troops AA regiments consisted of four 57 mm AA batteries (totaling 24 guns).

In the mid-1960s, the Soviet divisional anti-aircraft units began replacing their AA artillery with missiles, and by the end of the 1970s, the AA guns had almost disappeared. However, they were used in many other countries. The performance of AAA (anti-aircraft artillery) in Vietnam against low-flying aircraft led the Soviets to bring back many guns from storage to supplement the Surface-to-Air Missiles, whose performance at low altitude was less than satisfactory.

The S-60 and its Chinese copy (the Type 59) have seen combat in several wars all over the world – e.g., the Bajaur Campaign, Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East, and the Soviet–Afghan War. The Afghan People's Army received twenty-four 57 mm guns in 1958, and deployed it during the Bajaur Campaign. During the Vietnam War, the S-60 was the keystone of North Vietnamese low-altitude air defense and was most effective between 460 meters and 1,500 meters.

In Iraq (Iran–Iraq War, Gulf War and Iraq War), the S-60, normally deployed in battalions of 36 guns, served consistently in defense of divisional headquarters and field artillery assets.

Georgian army air defence units used S-60 guns during the Russo-Georgian War. Some units engaged Russian attack aircraft near the city of Gori. None were shot down by S-60 though some were damaged.

Syrian S-60 guns were actively used during the Syrian Civil War by both the army and rebel groups. As many other guns originally designed for antiaircraft use, most of the time they were used in shelling ground targets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ovUCOzzAZg|title=YouTube|website=Youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}

The Islamic State allegedly shot down a Cessna 208 Caravan operated by the Iraqi Air Force near Hawija, Iraq on 16 March 2016 with a truck-mounted S-60.{{Cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/58851/islamic-state-claims-iraqi-cessna-shoot-down |title=Islamic State claims Iraqi Cessna shoot-down | IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402094650/http://www.janes.com/article/58851/islamic-state-claims-iraqi-cessna-shoot-down |archive-date=2 April 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/did-isis-shoot-down-iraqi-military-plane-islamic-state-group-claims-anti-aircraft-2337783|title=Did ISIS Shoot Down Iraqi Military Plane? Islamic State Group Claims Anti-Aircraft Attack In Hawija|first=Michael|last=Kaplan|date=16 March 2016|website=International Business Times}}{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20160316-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Cessna AC-208B Combat Caravan YI-119 Hawijah|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=Aviation-safety.net}}

In 2022, S-60s were used by Ukraine in the war with Russia not in their original anti-aircraft role but as indirect-fire artillery. In this role they were reported to have an effective range of 6.1km.{{Cite web |date=7 August 2022 |title="The Come Back Alive foundation has shared footage of vintage AZP S-60 57mm AA guns in use with Ukrainian forces..." |url=https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1556393302144040969 |access-date=8 Aug 2022 |website=Ukraine Weapons Tracker / Twitter}}

In 2023, images surfaced of a T-55 armed with an AZP S-60 Anti Aircraft gun in place of its turret. It has been used by the Luhansk People's Republic to shoot at Ukrainian drones and provide infantry with fire support.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g0AtmzhOKY | title=The Most Embarrassing Tank Yet Sent to Ukraine -- Hybrid T-55 Mounted with S-60 AA Cannon | website=YouTube | date=19 May 2023 }}

The S-60 fires ammunition in 57×348SR caliber, with ballistics (see below) similar to the longer 57×438mm ammunition of Bofors 57 mm AA gun, but somewhat weaker than Soviet 57 mm anti-tank guns of World War II. Modern anti-aircraft rounds have not been developed for the gun; the main characteristics of the Soviet-era ammunition are listed in the table below. In addition to these People's Republic of China manufactures ammunition in 57x348SR caliber, designated Type 59 HE-T, Type 59 AP-T, and Type 76 HE-T.

Training rounds include a blank round MK-281 ("Manöver-Kartusche", East German designation), and training rounds with -IN suffix (UBR-281U-IN, UOR-281U-IN) identifying the rounds as fuzeless versions of the APCBC and HE rounds with dummy fuzes and inert filling replacing the explosive cavities.

Airburst munitions for Russian 30 mm and 57 mm autocannons are in development.{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-military-terminator-will-get-new-smart-weapons-989577 |title=Russia's Military Built a 'Terminator' And Now It's Getting Smart Weapons |work=Newsweek |date=21 June 2018 }}{{cite web |url=http://tass.com/defense/941885 |title=TASS: Military & Defense – Russia to develop anti-drone shrapnel ammunition |website=Tass.com |access-date=19 July 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/august_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/uvz_to_unveil_modernized_bmp-1_with_2a72_cannon_at_army_2018.html |title=UVZ to unveil modernized BMP-1 with 2A72 cannon at Army 2018 |website=Armyrecognition.com |date=16 August 2018 }}

File:ZSU-57-2_Hun_2010_02.jpg

File:AZP S-60, mounted on MT-LB in Military Trophy Park (Baku).jpg

File:АУ_АК-725_на_БДК_«Адмирал_Невельской»,_Владивосток,_2015-05-22.JPG

• AK-725: Naval version of the S-60 gun. Introduced in 1958. Mounted in single, double and quadruple mounts (designated ZIF-31) on many early Soviet destroyers.
• ZIF-72: Naval version which is enclosed in a metal housing and fully automatic. Also exported to India. Introduced in the mid-1970s.
• MT-LB Mounted Version: Self-propelled version, single 57 mm S-60 gun. Used in 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. Russian Armed Forces started using this version in Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/news/russians_installed_the_s_60_anti_aircraft_gun_on_the_mt_lb_armored_vehicle-6624.html |title=Russians Installed the S-60 Anti-Aircraft Gun on the MT-LB Armored Vehicle |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507094828/https://en.defence-ua.com/news/russians_installed_the_s_60_anti_aircraft_gun_on_the_mt_lb_armored_vehicle-6624.html |archive-date=7 May 2023 }}
• ZSU-57-2: Self-propelled version with two 57 mm S-60 guns (designated S-68)
• Type-80: Chinese version of the ZSU-57-2.
• S-60MB: Modernized Polish version, electrically powered, with a digital, automatic guidance system.{{Cite magazine|first1=Leszek|last1=Krzyżanowski|title=Osłona przeciwlotnicza jednostek brzegowych|magazine=Przegląd Sił Zbrojnych|issue=5|year=2015|publisher=Wojskowy Instytut Wydawniczy|issn=2353-1975|language=pl|page=43}}
• BM-57: Updated version.
• AU-220M Baikal: Remote weapon station with fire control system using BM-57.{{Cite web|url=https://www.burevestnik.com/products_engl/au220m.html|title=JSC CRI "Burevestnik"/ 57mm AU220M Automatic Weapon Station|website=Burevestnik.com}}File:Army-2018-26.jpg with АU-220М RWS armed with 57 mm BM-57 autocannon]]

The S-60 was sold to at least 37 countries during the Soviet era. The gun was also license manufactured in Poland by Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów in Tarnów (en. Tarnów Mechanical Works), and in Hungary by DIMÁVAG in Miskolc-Diósgyőr, and in China as the Type 59.

File:Vice_President_Labuan_Bajo_Visit_On_KRI_Sampari.jpg

• {{ANG}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=433}}
• {{ARM}}
• {{BAN}}: 34 Type 59 as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=233}}
• {{BUL}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=78}}
• {{CAM}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=236}}
• {{PRC}}: PG-59 variant{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|pp=239, 243}}
• {{COG}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=458}}
• {{CUB}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=394}}
• {{CZE}}
• {{MLI}}: +12 units
• {{EGY}}: 800 units as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|pp=321−323}}
• {{flag|Eritrea}}: 12 units
• {{ETH}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=465}}
• {{GIN}}: 12 units{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=470}}
• {{GNB}}: 10 units{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=471}}
• {{IDN}}: 256 units. 2 units AU-220M on {{sclass|Sampari|fast attack craft}}. 14 units AK-725 (ZIF-72) on Kapitan Pattimura-class corvettes. Unknown amount upgraded to use the Rapier's Blindfire radar or the AN/UPS-3 as a fire control radar. {{cite web|title=Surveillance Radar Rudal Rapier, Mampu Dialihfungsi Mendukung Peran Meriam PSU S-60 57mm TNI AD|date=12 April 2016 |url=https://www.indomiliter.com/surveillance-radar-rudal-rapier-mampu-dialihfungsi-mendukung-peran-meriam-psu-s-60-57mm-tni-ad/|access-date=2022-11-04}}{{cite web|title=AN/UPS-3 TDAR: Radar Penjejak Target Untuk Meriam PSU S-60 57mm Retrofit Arhanud TNI AD|date=11 April 2016 |url=https://www.indomiliter.com/anups-3-tdar-radar-penjejak-target-untuk-meriam-psu-s-60-57mm-retrofit-arhanud-tni-ad/|access-date=2022-11-04}}
• {{IRN}}: 200 as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=325}}
• {{IRQ}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=329}}
• {{KUR}}{{sfn|Military Balance 2016|p=491}}
• {{KGZ}}: 24 units as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=181}}
• {{LAO}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=269}}
• {{MRT}}: 12 units as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=342}}
• {{MDA}}: 11 units as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=182}}
• {{MGL}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=274}}
• {{MOZ}}: 60 units, 30 in storage as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=466}}
• {{NAM}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=467}}
• {{PRK}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=263}}
• {{PAK}}: 144 units of Type-59 variant as of 2021{{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2021|url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2021|publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies|page=290-291}}
• {{POL}}: 500 units
• {{ROU}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=126}}
• {{RUS}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=186}}
• {{Flag|Sahrawi Republic}}
• {{SUD}}: Both S-60 and Type 59 versions{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=480}}
• {{SYR}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=355}}
• {{flagicon image|Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg}} Free Syrian Army:{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|pp=356−357}} Used by Syrian Rebels on various trucks chassis
• People's Defense Units (YPG){{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Kurdish Armour: Inventorising YPG Equipment In Northern Syria |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/10/kurdish-armour-inventorising-ypg.html |website=Oryx Blog |date=29 October 2021}}
• {{THA}}: 24 Type 59, it's estimated that only 6 are operational as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=295}}
• {{TKM}}: 22 units as of 2023{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=200}}
• {{UKR}}{{cite web |title=Зенітна гармата С-60 у російсько-українській війні |url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/articles/zenitna-garmata-s-60-u-rosijsko-ukrayinskij-vijni/ |website=mil.in.ua |language=uk |date=28 October 2022}}
• {{VNM}}{{Cite web|last=doanhnghiepvn.vn|title=Báo Nga bình luận về pháo phòng không S-60 AZP Việt Nam tự nâng cấp - Doanh nghiệp Việt Nam|url=http://doanhnghiepvn.vn/quoc-te/bao-nga-binh-luan-ve-phao-phong-khong-s-60-azp-viet-nam-tu-nang-cap/20190906031846182|access-date=2020-06-12|website=Cơ quan ngôn luận của hiệp hội doanh nghiệp nhỏ và vừa Việt Nam|date=6 September 2019|language=vi}}
• {{ZAM}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2023|p=487}}

• {{AFG}}: 24 units received in 1958, further 36 units delivered between 1973 and 1978.
• {{ALB}}
• {{ALG}}: 75 units
• {{BIH}}
• {{BLR}}
• {{flaglist|Czechoslovakia}}: 400 units as of 1992. Passed on to successor states.
• {{FIN}}: 12 units. Nicknamed Nikolai.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
• {{GEO}}: Used in the 2008 Russo-Georgian war{{cite web |title=Russia's Wars: Listing Equipment Losses During The 2008 Russo-Georgian War |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/10/russias-wars-listing-equipment-losses.html |website=Oryx |access-date=12 August 2023}}
• {{HUN}}: 144 units
• {{flaglist|ISIL}}: 21 units{{Cite web|url=http://spioenkop.blogspot.com/2014/11/vehicles-and-equipment-captured-and.html|title=Vehicles and equipment captured and destroyed by the Islamic State inside Iraq until November 2014}}
• {{ISR}}: Captured units
• {{flagicon image|Flag of the People's Republic of Kampuchea.svg}} People's Republic of Kampuchea{{Cite book| title = Cambodia, a Country Study | edition = Third | editor-last = Ross | editor-first = Russell | year = 1987 | publisher = Department of the Army, American University | location = Washington, D.C. | series = Area Handbook Series | isbn = 978-0160208386 | page = 313}}
• {{Flag|Libya|1977}}: 90 units{{Cite book |title=Jane's Land-based Air Defence 1992-93 |date=1992 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0710609793 |editor-last=Cullen |editor-first=Tony |edition=5 |pages=257–261 |editor-last2=Foss |editor-first2=Christopher F |editor-link2=Christopher F. Foss}}
• {{MAR}}: 60 units
• {{MYA}}
• {{NIC}}
• {{USSR}}: Passed on to successor states
• {{SOM}}
• {{SVK}}
• {{Flagicon|Transnistria}} Transnistria
• {{YEM}}: 120+ units
• {{YUG}}: 250 units, passed on to successor states

• M51 Skysweeper served in the same role in the US Army
• List of weapons of the Lebanese Civil War
• Weapons of the Cambodian Civil War
• Weapons of the Laotian Civil War

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2016|date=February 2016|volume=116|isbn=978-1-85743-835-2 |publisher=Routlegde|ref={{harvid|Military Balance 2016}}|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}
• {{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2021|date=February 2021|volume=121|isbn=9781032012278|publisher=Routledge|ref={{harvid|The Military Balance 2021}}|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}
• {{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=February 2023 |publisher=Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated |ref={{harvid|The Military Balance 2023}} |isbn=978-1-032-50895-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U86kzwEACAAJ |language=en |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}
• {{cite book

| last = Koll

| first = Christian

| title = Soviet Cannon - A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm

| publisher = Koll

| year = 2009

| location = Austria

| url = http://www.russianammo.org

| page = 467

| isbn = 978-3-200-01445-9 }}

{{Commons}}

{{Portal|Soviet Union}}

• [https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/s-60.htm FAS page on the S-60]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090218184856/http://pzaku.net/homepage/25/ Full technical characteristics]}} {{in lang|ru}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJT42DQtG0c S-60 57 mm AA Video ]

{{SovArtyColdWar}}

Category:Anti-aircraft guns of the Soviet Union

Category:57 mm artillery

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s