The Armed Forces took the next important step towards modernizing its air defence today: The army commissioned Rheinmetall Air Defence in Switzerland with the comprehensive modernization of its existing 35-millimetre anti-aircraft guns. The order is worth 532 million euros. Including the necessary infrastructure measures and other framework conditions, the costs add up to around 690 million euros.
At a press conference, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner ( -> here is our big interview with the Minister of Defense) justified the investment made in air defense: “The current threats and the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East clearly show that peace cannot be taken for granted and that we need to focus more on military national defense. Threats from the air play a very important role in this, which is why air defense is also a central component of military national defense.” Minister Tanner continued: “With the modernization that has now been commissioned, we are taking another important step in this area.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjdPMtCB0V4 As is well known, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner signed a declaration of intent back in July for Austria to join the Austria to join the European Sky Shield Initiative initiated by Germany. At the Council of Ministers on November 15, the procurement of a long-range missile defense system was also agreed. Now, together with Chief of Armaments Major General Harald Vodosek and Rheinmetall Air Defence CEO Oliver Dürr, the contract for the modernization of the 35-millimetre anti-aircraft guns has been signed in Vienna. https://militaeraktuell.at/schweden-kauft-amraam-in-grosser-stueckzahl/ As part of a service life extension to the system known in the Austrian Armed Forces as Skyguard Next Generation (known at Rheinmetall as Skynex), the existing twin guns will be upgraded to the latest state of the art, coupled with high-performance sensors and integrated into Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command and control system. This allows air targets to be detected and identified at an early stage. The command and control system also enables the operator to create a local air situation picture, assess the threat situation and initiate a strike in close coordination with higher-level authorities.
The integration of guided weapons is also possible. The guns can be operated both remotely and unmanned, which significantly increases the protection of the soldiers and enhances the combat value. Furthermore, the use of programmable 35-millimeter ammunition of the type Ahead ammunition. According to Rheinmetall Air Defence, the contract covers a project duration of 48 months, starting in February 2024.
“By signing the contract today, we are setting another milestone in the maintenance and further development of security in Austria!
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Verteidigungsministerin Klaudia Tanner
The contract package includes a total of seven tactical units, each consisting of four 35-millimeter guns, a sensor unit for air surveillance and the command post. The contract also includes spare parts packages, training services and the associated 35-millimeter ammunition. The option to order a further tactical unit has also been contractually agreed.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “Although our current 35 millimeter air defence system is very reliable, it is already getting on in years. Over the next five years, it is to be extensively modified and optimized for future challenges. I am delighted that we have found a competent partner in Rheinmetall Air Defence, which works together with the experts from the Austrian Armed Forces in an excellent and constructive manner and implements the project quickly.”
Major General Harald Vodosek saw the modernization that has now been decided on as an “essential component for increasing Austria’s defence capability”. The systems could be used to protect critical infrastructure as well as in the event of an emergency for national military defense.
With this order, Rheinmetall will realize “one of the most ambitious projects in European air defence” in Austria, according to a recent press release from the company. “For the Austrian Armed Forces, this is an important step in retrofitting under the banner of ‘Mission Forward’.”
“With this lighthouse project, Austria is taking on an absolutely leading role in the field of air defense and drone defense in Europe.
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Rheinmetall-CEO Armin Papperger
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, also expressed his satisfaction: “We are delighted about this important market success with our Skynex technology. With this lighthouse project, Austria is taking on an absolute leading role in the field of air defense and drone defense in Europe. This major order underscores Rheinmetall’s role in meeting the challenge of equipping the armed forces in Europe to deal with new threats. This also includes our solutions in the field of stationary and mobile air defense.”
Oliver Dürr, CEO of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG in Zurich, added: “We are grateful for the trust placed in us by our friends and partners in Austria. The decision of the Austrian Armed Forces for Skyguard Next Generation is more than just a quantum leap – it is the entry into a new dimension of air defense and drone defense.”
“The decision of the
Austrian
Armed For
ces
to opt for Skyguard Next Generation is more than just a quantum leap – it is the entry into a new dimension of air defense and drone defense.
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Rheinmetall Air Defence-CEO Oliver Dürr
Dürr concludes: “Austria is receiving a tailor-made and forward-looking solution in close-range air defense. This is a significant success for our company – and especially for our Zurich site, which will be responsible for executing the order. This will make a decisive contribution to capacity utilization.”
Here for further reports about Rheinmetall and here to further army news.
