In one of its most recent announcements, Kalashnikov confirmed the increase in production of the GSh-301 cannons that equip the main fighters and attack aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). Although no further details were provided, the Rostec industrial consortium indicated that there has been an increase in production volumes compared to 2023.
Unofficially referred to by crews and pilots as the “dancer,” the GSh-301 is a single-barrel air cannon that equips various fighters in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces. Among these are the MiG-29, MiG-29K/KUB, Su-27, Su-30, Su-35, and tactical attack aircraft like the Su-34.
“Developed at the Tula Instrument Design Bureau by the prominent weapon designers Vasily Gryazev and Arkady Shipunov, it entered serial production at the Izhevsk Machine Plant (currently JSC ‘Kalashnikov Consortium’) in 1983, after being adopted as armament for combat aircraft,” the official statement released on October 3 stated.
Adding that regarding its deployment in aerial operations in Ukraine: “During its active combat use in the Special Military Operation zone, the GSh-301 cannons manufactured by the Kalashnikov consortium have received no complaints from the client, which confirms the high level of professionalism of the only Russian manufacturer of air cannons.”
Given this, it can be assumed that the increase in production compared to last year is due to the need to replenish material that equips aircraft currently deployed in combat operations. Notably, this includes fighters from the Sukhoi Su-30, Su-35, and Su-34 families.
The mentioned increase may also be due to the need to supply new GSh-301s to aircraft emerging from the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) factories, which are being delivered to the VKS, either to fulfill scheduled state contracts or to replace losses incurred during the conflict that began in February 2022.
*Photographs used for illustration purposes.
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