Rheinmetall to upgrade Austria’s Skyguard air defence system
Rheinmetall will upgrade Austria's Skyguard air defence system. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
Rheinmetall's Oerlikon Skyguard, the air defence system developed for the protection of stationary high value assets such as air fields, bridges, industrial installations and military command and control centres, will undergo a multimillion dollar upgrade.
Rheinmetall will upgrade Austria’s Skyguard air defence system under a €532 million (US$573 million) programme expected to begin in February 2024 and run for two years.
The contract, Project Skyguard Next Generation (SkyNex), will consist of seven tactical units, each comprising four 35mm guns, a sensor unit for monitoring airspace and a command post.
As part of the deal, 28 Austrian 35mm guns will be upgraded to the latest standard. The contract has also included spare parts, training support and 35mm ammunition, along with the option for an additional tactical unit.
The Skynex system was based on existing weapons systems owned by the Austrian Army. As part of a service life extension programme, Austria’s existing 35mm Oerlikon twin guns will be completely modernized and linked to a high-performance target tracking capability, as well as linking to Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command system.
The Skynex system encompasses airspace surveillance, a weapon engagement centre and effectors. Featuring a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute and a maximum effective range of up to 4,000 metres, Oerlikon rapid-fire automatic cannon would serve as the effectors.
The company pointed to the success of ‘the 35mm Gepard antiaircraft tank in Ukraine as a sign of the effectiveness of cannon-based in countering aerial targets – especially cruise missiles and drones – and the continuing relevance of this capability today in close-range air defence’.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline]()
Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline
Combat losses of support and logistics vehicles in recent conflicts have highlighted the need for greater protection and even self-defence capabilities. What options are available to turn a basic truck into a survivor on the battlefield?
-
![German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year]()
German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year
More than 1,200 Dingo 1 and Dingo 2 models have been built and deployed by some 10 countries. The latest Dingo 3 pulls through from user inputs and, like earlier versions, is also based on a UNIMOG chassis.
-
![Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range]()
Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range
The company’s new variants of 4×6 and 6×6 vehicles are designed to be modular for a greater variety of missions and also flexibility at a subsystem level, for example transmission and engine.
-
![Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role]()
Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role
Wheeled vehicles ranging in size from 4×4 to 8×8 provide high-speed at a good level of mobility compared to tracked. However, tracked can be larger and have a higher level of mobility in marginal terrain with a smaller turning circle. What are the possibilities for a 10×10?
