Rheinmetall To Deliver 'Skyguard' Air Defense Hardware To Two Foreign Customers

Rheinmetall has recently won contracts worth total €220 million (US$256 million) from two foreign governments to provide air defence hardware and related services for their air forces.

Rheinmetall had to overcome stiff international competition for both the orders that were booked in June this year. Delivery will take place through to 2021, the company announced Tuesday.

The new customer country has ordered two Skyguard 3 air defence systems. This is a third-generation system optimized for protecting critical facilities and infrastructure from current and future threats at very short ranges.

Each system consists of a Skyguard 3 fire control unit as well as two 35mm Oerlikon Twin Gun GDF009 automatic cannons. The same country is expected to place additional orders in the medium term.

Another nation has now opted to add 35mm Skyguard 1 fire units to its inventory. The order also encompasses 35mm ammunition, simulators, related test equipment as well as training on location. Here too, follow-on orders are expected to come within the next five years.

The Group’s tried-and-tested 35mm Skyshield technology sets the unsurpassed global standard, particularly when it comes to protecting sensitive civilian sites and critical infrastructure from terrorist threats.

Developed by Rheinmetall on behalf of the German Bundeswehr, the Mantis air defence system is the most advanced system of its kind anywhere. First deployed in 2014, it is able to protect military installations and forward operating bases from incoming rocket, artillery and mortar fire.