M53/59 Praga

The M53/59 Praga is a Czechoslovak self-propelled anti-aircraft gun developed in the late 1950s. It consists of an armoured version of the Praga V3S six-wheel drive truck chassis, armed with a modified version of the M53 twin 30 mm anti-aircraft gun mounted on the rear, which can be removed and used to provide ground support.

In Czechoslovakia it was known as '''Praga PLDvK vz. 53/59''' (PLDvK Model 53/59). PLDvK stands for Protiletadlový dvojkanón = Anti-aircraft twin-cannon. While vehicles for the export market were sold under the designation Praga M53/59 "Ještěrka" ("Lizard").

Description
The M53/59 has an all-welded steel armoured hull with a front engine, crew compartment at the centre and rear mounted guns. The armour is sloped to provide protection against small arms and shrapnel without increasing weight. Armoured covers with vision slits which can be lowered in combat to provide additional protection to the driver and commander, while the two loaders seated on the back of the crew compartment have two vision slits behind the side doors. The commander also has a hemispherical plexiglass cupola for observation.

The twin guns have an elevation of +85°, and a depression of −10°, except over the crew compartment where the depression is limited to +2° and the commander's cupola where there is none. A steel plate on the back of the crew compartment prevents the gun barrels from hitting the roof. The turret can fully traverse 360° degrees and the traverse, elevation, and depression hydraulic systems can be manually controlled in case of emergency. The gunner seats on the left side of the turret under the armoured cabin protection.

The 30 mm twin autocannons are gas-operated, with a maximum rate of fire of 450 to 500 rounds per barrel/minute and a practical rate of fire of 150 rounds per barrel/minute. Each gun have a 50-round magazine which are fed with 10-round clips. Each vehicle typically carries around 600 to 800 rounds. Fully loaded magazines are carried in the back of the crew compartment fastened to the floor by quick-release catches, while three spare magazines are carried on either side of the platform. Originally the guns were fitted with muzzle brakes, but they were later observed with conical flash hiders instead. The barrels can be quickly changed when overheated, and spare barrels were provided to the crews at part of the basic equipment.

Maximum horizontal range is 9.7 km, maximum vertical range is 6.3 km, and effective anti-aircraft range is 3 km. The M53 guns can fire armor-piercing incendiary rounds capable of penetrating 55 mm of RHA at a 0° angle at a range of 500 m and high-explosive incendiary rounds.

Stowed under the vehicle are two ramps and a winch which the crew can use to dismount the gun mount for deploying the system in the ground support role (stabilized by four jacks), and mount it back on to the vehicle.

The system lacks radar guidance, and night vision equipment, which makes it only effective during the day under good weather conditions. Other drawbacks of the M53/59 are the lack of a NBC protection system, no amphibious capabilities, and no central tire pressure regulation system.

Through the late 1950 and 1960 the Soviets exported the ZSU-57-2 SPAAG to some members of the Warsaw Pact, such as East Germany, and Poland. Czechoslovakia imported one for testing, but ultimately rejected it in favor of the M53/59.

Czechoslovakia

 * M53/59 Praga − Mass produced between 1959 and 1978.
 * M53/70 − Export-only variant, with an improved fire-control system. An unknown number of vehicles was sold to Iraq and used during the Gulf War.

Serbia

 * Praga VS35 M19 − A proposed upgrade by Srboauto in 2019 to meet the requirements of the Serbian Armed Forces. Improvements included a new four-door cab fully armoured to the NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2 standard, fitted with bullet/splinter proof windows on the front and sides and an Ebersspreher 8 kW heater installed in the crew compartment.

Iraq
In 1991, prior to the start of the Gulf War, it was estimated that Iraq had around 9,000 to 10,000 AA guns in service, including the M53/59 and M53/70.

Yugoslavia
The M53/59 saw use during the Yugoslav wars, by the Yugoslav Army, Slovenian and Croatian forces as well, mainly in the ground fire support role.

Democratic Republic of Congo
At least one M53/59 was seen in 2012 in the city of Goma. While it's exact origin is unknown (possibly from Serbia, Slovakia, or Libya), it is known that the newly reformed DRC Army was armed with weapons left by the former Zairean Army and whatever could be purchased abroad.

Former

 * 🇧🇦 − 100 in 2002
 * 🇨🇿 − Retired from service in 31 December 2003
 * − Passed on to successor states
 * Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
 * 🇮🇶 Iraq − M53/59 and M53/70 used in the Gulf War, none remained in service by 2002
 * 🇱🇾 Libya − 100+ in 2002.
 * − 9 in 2002
 * − Passed on to successor states
 * − 9 in 2002
 * − Passed on to successor states