Rheinmetall bags Oerlikon Skyguard upgrade order
Rheinmetall Air Defence has been awarded a major modernisation order for the Oerlikon Skyguard air defence system of the Swiss armed forces, the company announced on 18 May.
The multi-million euro order will see the company upgrade the guns and fire control units of the 35mm, medium-calibre Oerlikon Skyguard through to 2019.
The contract also covers the overhaul of associated command and control systems in the operations centre and additional spare parts. The modernisation aims to extend the service life of the Skyguard to at least 2025.
Rheinmetall Air Defence will be serving as general contract, responsible for the service life extension work. At the request of the customer, the Swiss federal procurement agency, the company has assigned various tasks to Swiss partner RUAG Aviation.
The Oerlikon Skyguard is part of the Swiss air force's short-range, ground-based air defence systems, which also include the Rapier surface-to-air missile and Stinger guided missile.
All three systems are set to reach the end of their service life in the next few years. The Skyguard's service life extension programme aims to avoid a capabilities gap before a successor system for short-range, ground-based air defence is introduced.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Army to receive Oshkosh’s next-gen autonomy-ready trucks by December]()
US Army to receive Oshkosh’s next-gen autonomy-ready trucks by December
The company recently announced a new US$95 million order for the Palletized Load System A2 under the FHTV V agreement.
-
![How the US Marine Corps “increased” Marines’ shooting accuracy by 99%]()
How the US Marine Corps “increased” Marines’ shooting accuracy by 99%
The new small arms training approach includes the use of data and simulation capabilities, as well as more realistic environments.
-
![Lockheed nets $4.9 billion US Army contract to build more precision strike missiles]()
Lockheed nets $4.9 billion US Army contract to build more precision strike missiles
The PrSM missiles, known as Increment 1 weapon systems, will eventually replace the US Army’s Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
-
![US Army to field first human-machine platoon in two years]()
US Army to field first human-machine platoon in two years
The Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office plans to deploy armoured and infantry platoon configurations around FY2027.
-
![Avalon 2025: Hanwha signs engine deal with Penske for Redback IFVs]()
Avalon 2025: Hanwha signs engine deal with Penske for Redback IFVs
Penske Australia will also carry out local assembly and testing of Allison X1100 series cross-drive transmission under licence using kits supplied by South Korea's SNT Dynamics.
-
![Ovzon trials UGV comms in Arctic conditions]()
Ovzon trials UGV comms in Arctic conditions
Swedish company showcases Arctic UGV test as it eyes NATO defence market expansion.
