Ukraine may receive Italian SIDAM-25 anti-aircraft guns as part of military aid to shoot down russian Shahed drones. While the exact number remains unknown, it is believed sufficient to equip three air-defense batteries.
This was reported by observer A-129 Mangusta (@NichoConcu) on X, citing his own sources. He has repeatedly reported on Italian arms shipments to Ukraine and was among the first to disclose plans to supply Centauro B1 wheeled tanks.
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This is particularly significant because SIDAM-25 systems had already been supplied to Ukraine earlier. However, these were not air-defense systems, but decommissioned hulls converted into standard M113 armored personnel carriers.
Available information indicates that the supply may consist of anti-aircraft guns rather than their chassis. However, this possibility remains, since the details are not publicly confirmed and Italy usually keeps its military aid secret.
The SIDAM-25 is an air-defense system mounted on an M113 armored personnel carrier, featuring a turret with four 25 mm Oerlikon KBA cannons. Each cannon has an ammunition load of 150 rounds. It lacks its own radar and relies on optoelectronic sensors with a laser rangefinder for targeting.
Since 1987, 275 of these anti-aircraft guns have been manufactured, though they were in service for only a short period. It is known that 207 of them were later sold to Belgium, but since they have not appeared in the country's arsenal, they are most likely held in storage by a private company.
About 68 SIDAM-25s reportedly remain in Italy, potentially available for delivery to Ukraine. At the same time, some had already been transferred in APC configuration, reducing the number available, although some could be repurchased from the companies that previously bought them.
The condition of the anti-aircraft guns remains a concern, as years of inactivity raise questions about the functionality of their guidance systems and other components, while restoring them could be difficult due to a lack of spare parts. Receiving these air-defense systems, instead of merely additional APCs, would provide Ukraine with a significant advantage against russian drones.
From the Defense Express side, we urges you to join a fundraising for what is already working: One United Fundraiser: Fundraising by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation for interceptor drones.
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