The Ministry of Defense of Romania concluded a contract with the German manufacturer Rheinmetall for the complete modernization of the Oerlikon GDF 103 air defense systems of the country.

How much is the contract signed by Romania with Rheinmetall and what does it consist of?

The contract is worth 325 million euros and includes the supply of four systems (six artillery units per system), as well as the provision of training, spare parts and other services.

Two air defense systems will be delivered within 24 months, and the other two within three years.

“This first significant order from the Romanian government expands our footprint in Central Europe. It also underlines Rheinmetall’s role as a leading supplier of ground-based air defense systems. In addition, this order will strengthen the defense capabilities of the EU and NATO on the eastern flank of Europe, which we are very pleased about,” said Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG.

Rheinmetall has been working for several months in Romania, in Satu Mare, a maintenance center where military equipment is serviced.

Each of the ordered systems consists of an Oerlikon Skymaster TLCN fire control system, a 3D X-Band Tactical Acquisition or X-TAR3D radar system, six twin GDF009 TREO Oerlikon 35mm guns and two heavy-duty vehicles to transport the fire control and tracking radar system. the German company reports.

The Romanian Ground Forces have 36 twin Oerlikon GDF-003 artillery mounts (72 guns). According to the current modernization contract, 24 artillery installations (48 guns) will be brought up to the new GDF-009 standard.

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Oerlikon anti-aircraft installation

The Romanian ground forces are equipped with the Oerlikon anti-aircraft system (Oerlikon GDF-003) – artillery installations with two 35-mm anti-aircraft guns, which are installed in places where they should provide air defense.

The systems are “mobile” in the sense that they can be packed up and moved to another location. Likewise, their radars are mounted on trucks that are part of a battery.

Erlikon complex 2×35 mm – A total of 72 anti-aircraft guns (36 systems), which were purchased in Switzerland and with which Romania participated in the NATO contingent in Poland for two years in a row.

The guns are stowed and towed by Dac 6X6 trucks along with radars and support equipment.