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CapabilityB3likely · moderate confidenceRU · adversary

Russian 30mm AA complex Zidatel ZA-30 unveiled for drone defense

Bottom line

Rosoboronexport has presented the Zidatel ZA-30, a 30mm automated anti-aircraft complex designed for stationary drone defense using programmable airburst shells.

Why it matters

The deployment of kinetic, programmable airburst systems like the Zidatel ZA-30 provides a cost-effective and high-precision layer to counter drone swarms and individual loitering munitions, potentially reducing reliance on expensive missile interceptors.

The Zidatel ZA-30, developed by TsNIIBurevestnik and Uralvagonzavt, features a BM-30-D Spitsa module equipped with a 2A42 gun firing programmable airburst shells, integrated with radar and electro-optical systems. It is designed for stationary defense against UAVs. This complements other recent Russian anti-drone developments, such as the Rostec Zhnets EW system and the NPO Ushtyunik Paseka net-launcher, indicating a multi-layered approach to counter-UAV defense.

Evidence — 1 independent origin

  • Беспилотники (дроны, БПЛА, UAV)source Borigin t.me
    Original text (excerpt)

    «Рособоронэкспорт» представил 30-мм автоматизированный зенитный артиллерийский комплекс «Цитадель» (ЗАК-30) разработки АО «ЦНИИ «Буревестник» (в составе АО «НПК «Уралвагонзавод»), предназначенный в первую очередь для защиты стационарных объектов от БПЛА. Комплекс использует устан

NamedRosoboronexportZidatel ZA-30TsNIIBurevestnikUVZBM-30-D Spitsa2A42Topicsdroneselectronic warfare

Related findings

← Latest findings · All findings from September 2026

History · version 1 · first published · last substantive update

Cite this finding
Robot War (2026). Russian 30mm AA complex Zidatel ZA-30 unveiled for drone defense. Hetzner OSINT, 13 September 2026. https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-09-13--russian-30mm-aa-complex-zidatel-za-30-unveiled-for-drone-defense/

@misc{robotwar-2026-09-13--russian-30mm-aa-complex-zidatel-za-30-unveiled-for-drone-defense,
  title = {Russian 30mm AA complex Zidatel ZA-30 unveiled for drone defense},
  author = {Robot War},
  howpublished = {\url{https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-09-13--russian-30mm-aa-complex-zidatel-za-30-unveiled-for-drone-defense/}},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Hetzner OSINT finding B3}
}

Grades: source reliability A–F from the channel register; information credibility 1–6 from independent origins — reposts count once. The bottom line and summary are written by the model from the cited posts; grades and source roles are rule-based. Methodology 2026-10-15.v6 · Corrections · JSON · RSS · API performance