The Viktor anti-aircraft systems have recently strengthened the short range air defense (SHORAD) units of Ukraine. The anti-aircraft systems are mobile and easy to maintain. They are easy to hide in a firing position, and the rate of fire of about 600 rounds per minute allows them to hit air targets over long distances. The other main task of the Viktors is to counteract aircraft and helicopters at low altitudes. Lightly armored equipment and the field fortifications of the enemy and his infantry are also quite achievable targets for an anti-aircraft machine gun.
Lieutenant General Serhii Nayev said,“ That their main task is to combat UAVs. In combination with a thermal sight and a collimator, this is a very powerful weapon against the Shaheds. The equipment of mobile fire groups with new Czech-made anti-aircraft systems began this year.The systems are assembled at the plant of the Czech company Excalibur Army.”
The first Viktor systems are already on combat duty in northern Ukraine and show excellent results in shooting down loitering munitions. A twin anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted on the chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser 70. To increase the capabilities of mobile fire groups in the future, they’re going to be strengthened with reconnaissance radars. Volunteers in the Czech Republic raised funds for the purchase of fifteen such Viktor mobile anti-aircraft systems. They were handed over to the Ukrainian Army.
The Viktor is based on a civilian Toyota pickup chassis fitted with a modernised variant of the Czech anti-aircraft weapon with a pair of ZPU 2 machine guns design by the Czech defense company Excalibur Army. The ZPU is a family of towed anti-aircraft gun based on the Soviet 14.5×114mm KPV heavy machine gun. The mobile short-range air defense systems use highly effective 14.5×114 mm ammunition to destroy airborne or, if necessary, ground targets. It has a robust construction and good firing accuracy – the effective range is over 2 kilometres.
