Rheinmetall To Equip 88 Brazilian, Sweden Gripen Fighters Fitted With Automatic Cannon

Rheinmetall will be equipping a total of 88 Gripen NG fighter aircraft with the BK27 automatic cannon with a newly developed linkless ammunition feeding system.

The order is worth a mid eight-figure euro amount. Brazil and Sweden – one new customer and one longstanding one – will soon have Gripen NGs armed with Mauser 27mm revolver cannon, Reihnmetall said in a statement Tuesday.

Delivery will take place during the 2017-2025 timeframe, and includes service support and spare parts. Rheinmetall also offers the accompanying ammunition for the weapon system.

Just awarded, the contract highlights once again the longstanding and successful cooperation between Rheinmetall and Saab. With the Gripen NG order, the BK27 – developed and produced at the legendary Mauser plant in Oberndorf – will be used in another warplane.

The linked ammunition-feeding version of the gas-operated revolver cannon serves as the standard weapon in the multi-role Tornado, while the Eurofighter features the linkless version. Some 3,500 systems have been manufactured to date.