The Romanian Ministry of Defence has awarded Rheinmetall a contract worth approximately €328 million to modernize the country’s Oerlikon GDF 103 air defense artillery systems. The agreement includes delivering four systems, training, spare parts, and additional services. Rheinmetall will deliver two systems within the next two years and the remaining two within three years.
This marks Rheinmetall’s first significant order from Romania, a NATO and EU member state, and enhances the defensive capabilities of the EU and NATO on Europe’s eastern flank. The systems include the Oerlikon Skymaster TLCN fire control system, X-Band Tactical Acquisition Radar 3D (X-TAR3D), six 35mm GDF009 TREO Oerlikon Twin Guns, and heavy-duty special trucks for transportation.
Rheinmetall’s Skynex air defense solution, an upgraded Oerlikon anti-aircraft artillery system, is a modular and flexible ground-based air defense system designed to protect stationary objects and installations at close and short range. It can simultaneously engage up to four targets, including ground targets, making it suitable for close-range operations where guided missiles may be ineffective.
The system utilizes Oerlikon rapid-fire automatic cannon with a rate of fire of 1,100 rounds per minute and a maximum effective range of up to 4,000 meters. Skynex represents a generational leap in sensor technology and features networked deployment of multiple tactical units and integration into higher-echelon command and control systems. Rheinmetall’s programmable time-delayed 35mm Ahead ammunition enhances its combat effectiveness against small, fast-moving targets. (Press Release)
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Post Image Credit: Rheinmetall
