Italy's anti-aircraft artillery: A missed lifeline for Ukraine
Artillery anti-aircraft systems are proving their usefulness during the war in Ukraine. Italy has also developed such a weapon—the SIDAM 25 anti-aircraft system—but despite the hopes of the Ukrainians, none will be provided to them as military aid; all units have been converted into armoured personnel carriers.
The war in Ukraine has brought about a renewed interest in artillery anti-aircraft systems. Relatively simple weapons, sometimes several decades old, are proving to be excellent for eliminating drones that are being used en masse by both sides of the conflict. Destroying them with small-calibre, rapid-fire guns is not only effective but, most importantly, cost-efficient.
The Ukrainian army uses German Gepard systems, Polish ZU-23-2CP, Czech MR-2 Victor (with 14.5 mm) systems, and modern Skynex systems. However, as the Ukrainian service Defence Express highlighted, Italian SIDAM 25 systems will not be included among the weapons supplied to Ukraine.
Italian SIDAM 25 anti-aircraft system
The SIDAM 25 systems were built in Italy in the second half of the 1980s. They were constructed using the hull of the M113 armoured personnel carrier, on which a substantial OTO Breda turret was mounted, with four Oerlikon KBA 25 mm guns positioned on the sides.
The system wasn't equipped with radar—the detection and targeting of threats were managed by an electro-optical fire control system supported by a laser rangefinder. The SIDAM 25 turret was characterized by a very high gun elevation angle—up to 87 degrees.
In addition to fragmentation-explosive ammunition intended for aerial targets, the vehicle housed 40 APDS rounds, which could be used against armoured vehicles. The SIDAM 25 offered a theoretical rate of fire of 2,400 rounds per minute (4 × 600) and allowed engagement of targets at a range and altitude of up to 2.5 kilometres.
SIDAM 25 not for Ukraine
As noted by the Ukrainian service Defence Express, about 300 units of SIDAM 25 were created in Italy. Although they were gradually withdrawn, the Italian army still had 64 systems available as of 2010.
Despite hopes stirred by the Italian press for providing this weapon to Ukraine, it has turned out to be impossible; the SIDAM 25 systems were withdrawn and converted to standard M113 transporters.
