Warriors of the 5th Separate Slobozhansk Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine are shooting down Shahed drones using the Swedish-made 40 mm Bofors L70 anti-aircraft gun, developed in the late 1940s more than 76 years ago. However, despite its age, it has successfully shot down numerous targets.
A report by the Inter TV channel showed one of the air defense systems bearing more than 19 kill marks for destroyed targets. It is difficult to say the exact number, as the entire area is not visible in the frame, but the result is impressive.
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Ukrainian servicemen say sleepless nights have become routine lately. On one occasion, they had to remain on continuous air-raid alert for 28 hours. This clearly illustrates the challenges of defending Ukraine's sky.
From Defense Express we would like to note that Lithuania transferred Bofors 40 mm L/70 guns to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, announcing the decision in early 2023. The system was developed in Sweden in the late 1940s and has been in use in many countries around the world since the 1950s.
Unlike many similar systems, the anti-aircraft gun relies not only on its rate of fire but also on its accuracy and powerful 40×365 mm R ammunition. With an effective range of 3–4 km, it provides a cost-effective option for countering enemy drones compared with anti-aircraft missiles.
In practice, despite its age, the air defense system continues to prove highly effective against aerial targets. It is also important to note that this success was made possible by the skill of the Ukrainian military.
The Bofors L70 shown in the footage, used by the National Guard of Ukraine, features basic optical sights and manual aiming, which requires more effort from the crew. At the same time, more modern variants of this anti-aircraft gun will also be supplied to Ukraine.
The system in question is the Tridon Mk2, the production and delivery of which are being funded by Sweden and Denmark. It is capable of using modern programmable munitions, is equipped with advanced guidance systems, and will be supplied with Saab Giraffe 1X radars.
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