Upgraded air defense for Romania

The Romanian Ministry of Defense has awarded Rheinmetall the comprehensive modernization of the country's Oerlikon GDF 103 air defense artillery systems. For the Düsseldorf-based technology group, this is the first major contract in the European NATO member state ever. It has a value of 328 million EUR.

The contract includes the delivery of a total 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.

“With this first comprehensive commission from the Romanian government, we are strengthening our footprint in Central Europe. It underlines Rheinmetall's leading role as a systems house for ground-based air defense. We are pleased to further enhance the defense capability of the EU and NATO on the eastern flank with this contract,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. Rheinmetall has been operating a service hub for the maintenance and repair of military vehicles in Satu Mare, at the tri-border area of Romania-Ukraine-Hungary, for several months.
Each system's performance includes: an Oerlikon Skynex Control Node 1 fire control system, an X-TAR3D search radar (X-Band Tactical Acquisition Radar 3D), six 35mm twin guns, Oerlikon Twin Gun GDF009 TREO including an autoloader, and two heavy-duty special trucks for transporting the fire control system and search radar.

Skynex by Rheinmetall

The air defense solution Skynex (Upgraded Oerlikon Anti-Aircraft Artillery System) is a modular and flexible ground-based air defense system for the protection of stationary objects and facilities in the close and very close range. It is state-of-the-art and capable of engaging up to four targets simultaneously at very short distances, including ground targets.

The cannon-based air defense solutions from the Skynex product family are particularly suitable for close-range protection, where missiles cannot effectively operate. The Oerlikon rapid-fire guns serve as effectors, capable of engaging targets up to 4,000 meters with a total rate of fire of up to 1,100 rounds per minute.

The successes of the now technically outdated 35mm anti-aircraft tank Gepard in Ukraine already demonstrate the efficiency with which cannon-based air defense can intercept air targets - especially cruise missiles and drones - and the importance of short-range air defense capability today.

Skynex, on the other hand, not only represents a technological leap in sensors and the ability to network multiple tactical units and integrate them into the overall command system. A unique feature in weapon effectiveness is the use of Rheinmetall-developed time-programmable 35mm Ahead ammunition, which allows for maximum effectiveness against small and fast targets.

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