AK-230

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	Weapon: AK-230 Type: Autocannon Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1959 Caliber: 30x210mmB Action: Gas Operated Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 2140.0 Overall Length (in): 84.25 Weight (kg): 156.00 Weight (pounds): 343.92 Effective Range (m): 2500 m Effective Range (yards): 2734.03

The AK-230 is a Soviet twin-barrel, fully automatic naval gun system developed in the late 1950s to provide short-range air defense for Soviet warships. It features two 30mm autocannons mounted in a fully enclosed, radar-directed turret. The gun is operated remotely and is typically integrated with the MR-104 "Drum Tilt" fire control radar. Its compact design, combined with high firepower and automation, allowed it to serve effectively as a close-in weapon system (CIWS) to protect ships against aircraft, helicopters, and small surface threats.

Entering service in the early 1960s, the AK-230 was produced extensively throughout the Cold War period, with over 1,450 units manufactured. It was installed on a wide range of Soviet and Warsaw Pact vessels, including patrol boats, corvettes, frigates, and landing ships. The system was adopted by navies across Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa, including those of North Korea, Egypt, and India. The weapon system's twin 30mm barrels could deliver a combined rate of fire of around 2,000 rounds per minute, offering a dense curtain of fire within a range of 2.5 to 4 kilometers.

Although eventually superseded by more advanced systems such as the AK-630 and modern missile-based CIWS, the AK-230 earned a reputation for its reliability and ease of maintenance. Its longevity across multiple navies is a testament to its practical and rugged design. While not as sophisticated as newer systems, it played a critical role in naval air defense during a time when jet aircraft and missile threats became increasingly common. Even today, many units remain in service, particularly in smaller or developing navies that value its simplicity and firepower.