Rheinmetall May Build Skyshield Air Defense Guns With India’s BHEL

Rheinmetall is likely to invest $1 billion to set up a base in India’s Uttar Pradesh (UP) state.

The German company is exploring the possibility of manufacturing Skyshied short-range air defense systems with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). If fructified, this project will be followed by joint production of tank guns and artillery guns.

The CEO of Rheinmetall Electronics Division, Susanne Wiegand, and the CEO of Rheinmetall Air Defense, Fabian Ochsner held a video conference with UP’s investment and promotion of MSME minister Siddharth Nath Singh over the proposed investment in the state. “Rheinmetall as submitted an expression of interest to BHEL regarding this and if the partnership matures, it has the potential to result in an investment of over $1 billion,” an official associated with the German defense contractor told Financial Times last week.

Skyshield is intended to destroy hostile aircraft and missiles. It can be deployed by trucks and other transportation systems. The weapons system consists of two Oerlikon 35 mm revolver cannons with a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute, a fire control system made up of a sensor unit and a detached command post. The Skyshield can also use up to two surface-to-air missile 8-cell modules for an expanded air defense capability.

The Oerlikon 35/1000 Revolver Gun fires the Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition.