Rheinmetall signs South African air defence contract
Rheinmetall will perform work to support South Africa’s programme to modernise its existing air defence systems under a new contract announced on 27 March.
The contract will see the company supply Oerlikon Skyshield fire control units, which will provide the South African forces’ current twin-gun system with improved performance and accuracy, and expand the operational spectrum of its air defence capabilities.
A number of guns will also be retrofitted with upgrade kits to accommodate Rheinmetall’s Ahead airburst ammunition.
Adding Skyshield technology to current capabilities will enable the South African armed forces to better protect sensitive installations such as the House of Parliament, power plants, stadiums and other critical military and civilian assets from a wide array of aerial threats, including asymmetric terrorist-type attacks.
The contract also includes logistics and training services. The work is scheduled to be complete by 2017.
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