Switzerland’s armasuisse (federal procurement agency) recently awarded Rheinmetall a multi-million dollar contract to modernize several military systems, the company said May 18.
Under the contract, the company will upgrade the fire control units and guns of the 35mm medium-caliber Oerlikon Skyguard air defense system, overhaul the associated command and control systems in the operations center, and provide additional spare parts. The Skyguard defense system has been in operation for many years and the upgrade measures are meant to extend its service life until at least 2025, Rheinmetall said.
As a general contractor, Rheinmetall is responsible for the work to extend the Skyguard system’s service life, although Switzerland requested the company assign several tasks to Swiss partner company RUAG Aviation.
Without this service life extension, the Oerlikon Skyguard would reach the end of its service life in the next several years, Rheinmetall said.