Login
Login

Rheinmetall Air Defence#History

{{Short description|German military arms company}}

File:Rheinmetall factory in Oerlikon.jpg

{{Use American English|date = February 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}

Rheinmetall Air Defence AG is a division of German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall, created when the company's Oerlikon Contraves unit was renamed on 1 January 2009 and integrated with Rheinmetall's other air-defence products.{{cite press release|publisher=Rheinmetall|date=27 January 2009|url=http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?lang=3&fid=5014|title=Rheinmetall Air Defence: the new name of air defence specialist Oerlikon Contraves|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128050009/http://rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?lang=3&fid=5014|archive-date=28 November 2010|df=dmy-all}} Oerlikon Contraves was a Swiss anti-aircraft artillery manufacturer famous for its adaptation of the 1916 20 mm Becker as the Oerlikon 20 mm autocannon design, which was used in the Second World War and remains in use. Copies and derivatives of these designs were made by German, French, British, and Japanese weapon manufacturers. Oerlikon Contraves was purchased by Rheinmetall in 1999.{{cite news|title=Rheinmetall unit Oerlikon Contraves to appeal Unaxis' name change|date=18 September 2006|newspaper=Forbes|agency=AFX News Limited|url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2006/09/18/afx3023795.html |access-date=2 October 2010}}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{As of|2009|1}}, Rheinmetall Air Defence had around 1,050 employees at locations in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Canada. The group's sales {{As of|2008|alt=in 2008}} were about {{currency|€380 million|EUR|first=yes}}.

History

Oerlikon's earliest predecessor was Schweizerische Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon, founded in the Oerlikon district of Zürich, Switzerland in 1906.{{cite web|url=http://www.oerlikon.com/ecomaXL/index.php?site=OERLIKON_EN_historical_milestones|title=Historical Milestones|work=Oerlikon Corporate Website|publisher=OC Oerlikon Management|location=Pfäffikon, Switzerland|access-date=2 October 2010|archive-date=15 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215221520/http://www.oerlikon.com/ecomaXL/index.php?site=OERLIKON_EN_historical_milestones|url-status=dead}}

In 1923 it acquired a factory in Germany. It entered the anti-aircraft defence field in 1924. In 1936, it founded a purely anti-aircraft development company called Contraves (contra aves is Latin for "against birds", better translated as "anti-flying-objects") In 1989, the Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Bührle and Contraves merged to form the Oerlikon-Contraves Group, later renamed Oerlikon Contraves Defence.{{cite web|title=Complaint: Khulumani et al. v. Barclays National Bank Ltd et al.|last1=Bryks|first1=Jacqueline E.|last2=Hausfeld|first2=Michael D.|last3=Abrahams|first3=Charles Peter|last4=Kerrigan|first4=Robert G.|last5=Fisher|first5=Barry A.|work=DomCLIC Project: South African Apartheid Litigation|publisher=The Hague Justice Portal|url=http://www.haguejusticeportal.net/Docs/NLP/US/Khulumani_Complaint_11-11-2002.pdf|date=11 November 2002|access-date=2 October 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930183439/http://www.haguejusticeportal.net/Docs/NLP/US/Khulumani_Complaint_11-11-2002.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2011|df=dmy-all}} Oerlikon Contraves was purchased by Rheinmetall, a German armament manufacturer, in 1999, and renamed Rheinmetall Air Defence AG on 1 January 2009.

=Historic products=

File:HMAS-Castlemaine-gun-2-1.jpg]]

American versions of the Oerlikon 20 mm cannon, such as the Mk 4, Mk 10, and Mk 24, were used extensively from World War II to the Vietnam War. As anti-aircraft weapons used by the US Navy, they were frequently the last line of defence against kamikaze attacks. Most combat ships from aircraft carriers to PT boats were equipped with Oerlikon guns. During the Vietnam War they were widely employed by riverine forces as anti-personnel weapons. They remained in service until the 1970s, when they were replaced by the Mk 16 20 mm cannon.{{cite web |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_2cm-70_mk234.htm |title=Switzerland Oerlikon 20 mm/70 (0.79") Mark 1 / United States of America 20 mm/70 (0.79") Marks 2, 3 & 4 / Britain 20 mm/70 (0.79") Mark I and Mark II|date=14 January 2011|publisher=NavWeaps.Com|access-date=24 September 2011}}

Oerlikon also developed the following surface-to-air missiles: the RSA Missile, the RSD 58, and the Kriens RSC Missile.

Oerlikons 20mm cannon was frequently used on Naval Ships throughout the 1920s, 30s and 40s.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Products {{Anchor|Product Areas}}

File:Boxer Skyranger 30 ILA-2022.jpg is the Rheinmetall's latest mobile air defence system]]Rheinmetall Air Defence specialises in ground-based and naval air defence. Their products include search-and-tracking sensors, 35 mm air-defence guns, command-and-control posts, battle management and ship-based combat systems.

= Medium calliber weapons =

  • Oerlikon KAE cannon, calibre 20×128 mm (modernised variant of KAA and KAB cannons){{Cite web| title=Oerlikon Cannon 20mm KAE - Remote controlled cannon based on the famous KAA type | url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Air-Defence/D675e0222-Oerlikon-Cannon-20mm-KAE.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119100119/https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Air-Defence/D675e0222-Oerlikon-Cannon-20mm-KAE.pdf | archive-date=2023-11-19}}
  • Oerlikon KBA autocanon, calibre 25×137 mm Used with: Oerlikon Searanger 25, Oerlikon Fieldranger 25, Dardo IFV, Freccia IFV, Hitfist turret, Leonardo Spallacia,{{Cite web |title=SINGLE 25mm KBA |url=https://electronics.leonardo.com/en/products/single25mm-kba |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=electronics.leonardo.com |language=en-US}} ASELSAN STOP, ASELSAN NEFER{{Cite web |title=Rheinmetall |url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/products/medium-calibre/medium-calibre-canonns#anchor-25-mm-x-137-kba |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Rheinmetall |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Mittelkaliberwaffen – Maschinenkanonen 20–35 mm |url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/de/produkte/waffen-und-munition/waffen-und-munition/mittelkaliberwaffen |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Rheinmetall |language=de}}
  • Oerlikon KCA autocanon, calibre 30×173 mm
  • Oerlikon KCE autocanon, calibre 30×173 mm{{Cite web |title=OERLIKON SKYRANGER® 30 - LIGHT MULTI-ROLE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM |url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Air-Defence/D994e0222-Oerlikon-Skyranger-30.pdf}}
  • Oerlikon KDE autocanon, calibre 35×228 mm (used on Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV)
  • Oerlikon KDC autocanon, calibre 35×228 mm
  • Oerlikon KDG autocanon, calibre 35×228 mm

= Ground-based air defence {{Anchor|Ground Based Air Defence}} =

File:SANDF Oerlikon 35mm cannon.jpg

  • Ground Based Air Defence Unit:
  • Oerlikon GDF, calibre 35×228 mm, twin cannon
  • MANTIS C-RAM, calibre 35×228 mm
  • Oerlikon Skyshield, calibre 35×228 mm
  • Oerlikon revolver gun Mk2{{Cite web |title=Rheinmetall Air Defence |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/contractors/air-defence/rheinmerallair/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Airforce Technology |language=en-US}}
  • Oerlikon revolver gun Mk3{{Cite web| title=Oerlikon revolver gun MK3 - Autonomous 35mm air defence gun with radar tracker | url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Air-Defence/D712e0222-Oerlikon-Revolver-Gun-Mk3.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115075249/https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Air-Defence/D712e0222-Oerlikon-Revolver-Gun-Mk3.pdf | archive-date=2023-11-15}}
  • Oerlikon Skynex
  • SkyKnight C-RAM missile launcher unit{{Cite web |title=Rheinmetall |url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/de/produkte/flugabwehr/flugabwehrsysteme/vernetzte-flugabwehr-skynex |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Rheinmetall |language=de}}
  • Mobile Air Defence:
  • Oerlikon Skyranger:{{Cite web |title=Rheinmetall |url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/de/produkte/flugabwehr/flugabwehrsysteme/mobile-flugabwehr-skyranger#anchor-skyranger-familie |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Rheinmetall |language=de}}
  • Oerlikon Skyranger 30
  • Oerlikon Skyranger 35
  • Oerlikon Skyranger Search Radar Control Node (SRCN)
  • Oerlikon Skyranger Missile (Stinger oder äquivalent)
  • Oerlikon Skyranger Missile (Cheetah)
  • Air Defence Anti-Tank System
  • Natter Counter-UAS-System{{Cite web |date=2024-08-27 |title=Rheinmetall will Waffenstation Natter für neue Drohnenabwehrlösung nutzen |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/rheinmetall-will-waffenstation-natter-fuer-neue-drohnenabwehrloesung-nutzen/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |language=de-DE}}
  • High-energy laser C-RAM{{Cite web |date=2011-11-22 |title=Rheinmetall: successful target engagement with high-energy laser weapons |url=https://www.pressebox.com/pressrelease/rheinmetall-ag/Rheinmetall-successful-target-engagement-with-high-energy-laser-weapons/boxid/465075 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.pressebox.com |language=en-US}}
  • Command systems
  • Oerlikon Skymaster{{Cite web |title=Rheinmetall |url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/de/produkte/flugabwehr/flugabwehrsysteme/fuehrungssysteme-skymaster |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Rheinmetall |language=de}}
  • Oerlikon Skynex

= Naval systems{{Anchor|Naval Systems}} =

  • Naval Gun Systems:
  • Oerlikon Natter:
  • Oerlikon Natter 7.62, calibre 7.62×51 mm NATO{{Cite web |title=Rheinmetall |url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/de/produkte/waffen-und-munition/waffensysteme-fuer-die-marine#anchor-seasnake-30-mm |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Rheinmetall |language=de}}
  • Oerlikon Natter 12.7, calibre 12.7×99 mm NATO
  • Oerlikon Searanger:
  • Oerlikon Searanger 20, calibre 20×128 mm
  • Oerlikon Searanger 25, calibre 25×137 mm{{cite web | url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/de/produkte/mittelkaliber/mittelkaliberwaffen | title=Rheinmetall }}
  • Oerlikon Seasnake:
  • Oerlikon Seasnake 20, calibre 20×128 mm
  • Oerlikon Seasnake 30, calibre 30×173 mm
  • Oerlikon Millennium Naval Gun, calibre 35×228 mm
  • Search and Acquisition Radar:
  • Oerlikon X-TAR3D/M
  • Radar and Electro Optical Tracking Modules:
  • Oerlikon TMX/EO NT
  • Oerlikon TMX/EO Mk2
  • Oerlikon SeaVision
  • Oerlikon SeaStorm
  • Command and Control:
  • Oerlikon Seaguard naval tracking system{{Cite web |title=Rheinmetall |url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/products/air-defence/air-defence-systems/naval-air-defence |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Rheinmetall |language=en}}
  • Oerlikon Weapon Control Module

= Weapon stations (vehicles) =

  • Oerlikon Fieldranger 20{{Cite web| title=Leadership in cannon design | url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Weapon-Ammmunition/B226e0620-Rheinmetall-Leadership-in-cannon-design-medium-calibre-portfolio.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119095459/https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Weapon-Ammmunition/B226e0620-Rheinmetall-Leadership-in-cannon-design-medium-calibre-portfolio.pdf | archive-date=2023-11-19}}
  • Oerlikon Fieldranger 25

= Other military products =

=Civilian products {{Anchor|Non-Military Products}}=

Oerlikon Contraves subsidiary Oerlikon Transtec manufactured railcar and locomotive systems, including locomotive brakes, subway and electric train power conversion systems, and other subsidiary systems for mass-transit vehicles.{{cite web|url=http://www.directory51.com/profile/Oerlikon-Transtec-Inc-c26684.html|title=Oerlikon Transtec Inc.|work=Directory51.com|access-date=2 October 2010}} {{As of|2010|10}}, Rheinmetall's website no longer lists these products as part of the Air Defence group.{{cite web|url=http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?fid=619&lang=3|title=Rheinmetall Air Defence AG|publisher=Rheinmetall Defence|year=2010|access-date=2 October 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005133922/http://rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?fid=619&lang=3|archive-date=5 October 2010|df=dmy-all}}

Corruption charges

Rheinmetall Air Defence (RAD) is one of six companies that were blacklisted by India's Ministry of Defence in March 2012 for their involvement in a bribery scandal.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bribery-scandal-Defence-ministry-blacklists-six-companies/articleshow/12149827.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103102757/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-05/india/31123453_1_defence-ministry-charge-sheet-blacklisted |url-status=live |archive-date=3 January 2013 |title=Bribery scandal: Defence ministry blacklists six companies|date=5 March 2012|work=The Times of India |access-date=8 June 2012}} The companies are accused of bribing the Director General of Ordnance Factories Board (OFB), Sudipta Ghosh. RAD and the other firms have been barred from any dealings with the OFB and all other Indian defence companies, as well as being blacklisted from participating in any Indian defence contract, for a period of 10 years.{{cite news |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/03/07/India-blacklists-defense-companies/UPI-89111331123482/ |title=India blacklists defense companies|publisher=United Press International|date=7 March 2012|access-date=8 June 2012}} RAD has claimed that the charges against it are without merit.{{cite news|url=http://www.spslandforces.net/exclusive/?id=19&h=Rheinmetall-Air-Defence-AG-cries-foul-over-blacklisting|title=Rheinmetall Air Defence AG cries foul over blacklisting|publisher=SP's Land Forces.net|date=23 March 2012|access-date=8 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924000516/http://spslandforces.net/exclusive/?id=19&h=Rheinmetall-Air-Defence-AG-cries-foul-over-blacklisting|archive-date=24 September 2012|df=dmy-all}}

Rheinmetall Air Defence was implicated in a corruption case in India along with arms dealer Abhishek Verma and his wife Anca Verma lodged by anti-corruption agency of India, the CBI in 2012 for bribing defence officials for securing multi billion dollar weapons contracts of the Indian military establishment.{{Cite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/rheinmetall-abhishek-verma-bribe-idINDEE95604T20130607|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819033028/http://in.reuters.com/article/rheinmetall-abhishek-verma-bribe-idINDEE95604T20130607|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2016|title=CBI charges Abhishek Verma, Rheinmetall official with bribery|language=en-IN|access-date=2016-08-07}}{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abhishek-Verma-was-promised-5m-by-Rheinmetall-Air-Defence-to-remove-its-name-from-govts-blacklist/articleshow/14347118.cms|title=Abhishek Verma was promised $5m by Rheinmetall Air Defence to remove its name from govt's blacklist - Times of India|website=The Times of India |date=23 June 2012 |access-date=2016-08-07}} RAD Chairman Bodo Garbe and General Manager Gerhard Hoy were issued summons of the Indian courts. Subsequently a red-corner notice was issued for their detention through Interpol.{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/cbi-to-push-for-red-corner-notice-against-top-rheinmetall-executive/|title=CBI to push for red corner notice against top Rheinmetall executive|date=2014-06-06|access-date=2016-08-07}} The case at present is under trial in Indian courts.{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/swiss-authorities-refuse-to-share-information-on-abhishek-verma/articleshow/48746698.cms|title=Swiss authorities refuse to share information on Abhishek Verma - The Economic Times|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=31 August 2015 |access-date=2016-08-07}}{{Update inline|date=February 2025|reason=Article cited is from 2015. Any news on how the court case went?}}

See also

{{Portal|Companies}}

References

{{Reflist}}

  • Air Force Center "Fliegermuseum Dübendorf"
  • Hugo Schneider: Armament and equipment of the Swiss Army since 1817: light and medium anti-aircraft air defence anti-aircraft missiles, Volume 12 of armament and equipment of the Swiss Army since 1817, Author Publisher Stocker-Schmidt, 1982

External links

{{Commons category|Oerlikon Contraves}}

  • [http://www.rheinmetall-detec.de/ Rheinmetall-DeTec], parent company
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20101005133922/http://rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?fid=619&lang=3 Official site]

{{Rheinmetall}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Firearm manufacturers of Switzerland

Category:Rheinmetall

fi:Oerlikon