Vietnam equips CSB ships with 23mm-2ML guns
According to the Vietnam Coast Guard's information page, all CSB DN-2000 ships are currently equipped with 23mm-2ML cannons and 14.5mm machine guns.
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| On June 17, in Quang Ninh, the Coast Guard Command coordinated with Factory Z133 under the General Department of Engineering and Company 189, General Department of Defense Industry to successfully test the 23mm-2ML cannon and 14.5mm machine gun on the CSB 8001 ship. |
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| According to public information, before the CSB 8001, the DN-2000 class patrol boats of the Vietnam Coast Guard, including 8002, 8004 and soon 8005, were all equipped with a combination of 23mm-2ML cannons and 14.5mm machine guns. |
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| The two 23mm-2ML gun systems and two 14.5mm guns on the CSB DN-2000 ship have a solid structure, are installed according to design, and meet technical requirements. Before, during, and after firing, the guns on the ship are in good technical condition and operate properly, the firing angle diagram ensures safety for the equipment on the ship. |
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| Based on the results of the acceptance test, Major General Nguyen Van Son also oriented the development of 23mm-2ML guns for Coast Guard shipbuilding projects in the coming time following the trend of the 4.0 technology revolution. |
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| It is known that although it is the first ship of the DN-2000 class, CSB 8001 is the last ship to be equipped with a 23mm gun among the four ships currently in service with the Vietnam Coast Guard. |
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| The 23mm-2 anti-aircraft guns (models 23-2M and 23-2ML) installed on Vietnam Coast Guard ships are derived from the 23mm Zu-23-2 anti-aircraft guns. They were put on board as gunboats with technical support from Israeli experts. |
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| These new generation 23mm cannons will gradually replace the old 25mm 2M-3 type. The weapon has been successfully integrated on TT-400 patrol boats before being expanded to DN-2000 boats. |
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| Compared to the original ZU-23-2, the 23mm-2ML gun has been upgraded with a cabin for the gunner, the rotating platform uses an electric system instead of the conventional manual rotation mechanism. In addition, this new gun complex can also use an electric trigger or integrate an electro-optical aiming system. |
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| Compared to the 25mm 2M-3 cannon, the ZU-23-2 cannon, although having a smaller caliber, has a superior firing rate (400 rounds/minute compared to 300 rounds/minute of the 2M-3), and the effective firing range of the two cannons is equivalent. |
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| However, the superiority of ZU-23-2 over 2M-3 is in the ability to upgrade and independently manufacture cannons and ammunition because currently there are not many 25mm cannon ammunitions for 2M-3, manufacturing is only aimed at maintaining the combat strength of this weapon, not for replication. |
