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An unknown international customer has engaged the prime contractor to update its 35mm cannon-based air defence system, with the order also including ammunition and other components for application onboard the modernised battery.
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Rheinmetall reported that the contract was in the three-digit million-euro range, with work scheduled to begin in 2023.
Rheinmetall Italia is confirmed to oversee the contract.
Under the agreement, Rheinmetall is upgrading the customer’s 35mm twin guns, with the program bringing them up to the latest Oerlikon GDF009 standard.
The newer standard is expected to provide enhanced air defence capabilities against a range of aerial threats including small uncrewed systems, and is capable of employing newer ammunition types including Ahead airburst ammunition.
The GDF009 forms part of the prime contractor’s Skynex modern air defence system.
In December, Rheinmetall was additionally engaged by an undisclosed customer for the supply of two Skynex air defence systems.
The system is expected to be delivered in early 2024.
Separately, a memorandum of understanding was signed for the procurement of HX trucks for an estimated €12 million ($AU18.6 million) — to be delivered alongside the Skynex system.
Skynex is designed to offer short-range strike capability, responding when guided missiles are ineffective.
The capability also supports 35mm Ahead ammunition — also developed by Rheinmetall — which is resistant to electronic countermeasure technologies.
According to Rheinmetall, the success of the self-propelled Flakpanzer Gepard anti-aircraft system in Ukraine is a demonstration of the effectiveness of 35mm gun-based air defence against aerial targets.
The Skynex system also reportedly enables integration of radar equipment from various manufacturers, supporting an array of air defence weapons.
Existing air defence systems, including the Skyshield and Skyguard platforms, can also be built into the new architecture as fire units.
This latest Skynex contract is among a number of international orders secured by Rheinmetall in recent months.
According to Rheinmetall, “The modern air defence system Skynex is based on a concept to separate air traffic control from the effectors.
“Owed to the systems modularity, it enables users to plug in only the mission relevant systems into the command and control unit. Skynex allows integrating sensors from different manufacturers.”
[Related: Rheinmetall contracted to modernise sensors for Norwegian NASAMS]
