Rheinmetall sells Skyguard 3 systems to international customer
Skyguard 3 air defence system. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
Rheinmetall on 5 July announced a new €65 million contract ‘of great importance’ to supply Skyguard 3 air defence systems for an unnamed international customer.
Deliveries of the Oerlikon Skyguard 3s with GDF009 twin 35mm guns and airburst-capable Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition, plus spare parts, are scheduled for completion in 2024.
As the third-generation Skyguard system, Skyguard 3 is optimised for inner-tier air defence and base/fixed-asset protection. The fire-control unit in Skyguard 3 connects up to four effectors.
The twin 35mm guns have a maximum rate of fire of 1,100 rounds per minute.
AHEAD ammunition is designed specifically for small, very low and fast-flying targets such as UAVs, loitering munitions and missiles. A single AHEAD round ejects a lethal shower of 152 spin-stabilised sub-projectiles, each weighing 3.3g.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
-
NATO FUSE exercise plays out real-world scenario in the face of eastern border risks
The large-scale exercise in Latvia was the culmination of three experimentation initiatives to see how platforms, weapons and systems could fit into the alliance’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. As well as forces, it brought together companies and equipment.
-
Euronaval 2026: faster frigates, evolving contracts and drone motherships lead opening conference
Fast frigate deliveries to the Hellenic Navy, French pressure on suppliers over open architectures and calls for new classes of warship marked the start of the Paris show.
-
Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.