The Romanian Ministry of National Defence has contracted Rheinmetall to modernise the country’s Oerlikon GDF-003 twin 35 mm anti-aircraft cannons with the group’s Skynex air defence solution, Rheinmetall announced on 22 December 2023.
The order, which is worth around EUR 328 M, is the company’s first from Romania and encompasses the delivery of four systems as well as training, spare parts and other services. Two systems are to be delivered within the next two years and two more within three years.
“This substantial first-time order from the Romanian government widens our footprint in Central Europe,” Armin Papperger, chairman of Rheinmetall’s executive board, was quoted as saying in a company press release.
“It also underscores Rheinmetall’s role as a leading supplier of ground-based air defence systems,” he added. “Moreover, the order will bolster the defensive capabilities of the EU and NATO on Europe’s eastern flank: something we’re very happy about.”
Each of the systems ordered consists of an Oerlikon Skymaster TLCN fire control system; an X-Band 3D tactical acquisition radar (X-TAR3D); six 35 mm GDF009 TREO Oerlikon twin guns, including autoloader; and two heavy-duty special trucks for transporting the fire control system and the tracking radar.
An upgraded Oerlikon anti-aircraft artillery system built around an open systems architecture, Rheinmetall’s Skynex is a modular, flexible, ground-based air defence system for the protection of stationary objects and installations at close and short range. The system is also fully networked and allows the integration sensors and effectors from different manufacturers.
Cannon-based air defence solutions lend themselves especially well to close-range operations where missiles can be ineffective. The effectors used in the Romanian case are Oerlikon rapid-fire automatic cannons featuring a rate of fire of 1,100 rounds per minute and a maximum effective range of up to 4,000 m.
The system can also benefit from using Rheinmetall’s programmable time-delayed 35 mm Ahead ammunition to maximise effectiveness against small, fast-moving targets.
