The federal army is modernizing its 35 millimeter anti-aircraft system. A corresponding contract with the Swiss arms company Rheinmetall was signed on Tuesday by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP).
Air defense is a “central part” of the “Mission Forward”, i.e. the development plan of the Bundeswehr, in which 18.1 billion euros must be invested by 2027. An “essential cornerstone” was struck with the signing of the contract. The 35mm system is reliable, but it is also getting old. Now it will be “completely reviewed,” the Defense Minister emphasized.
Soldier training runs parallel
At the same time, soldiers will be trained on the new device. After modernization you will have a system “that covers all future eventualities”. An ‘open system architecture’ also enables full ‘interoperability’, which is not unimportant given Austria’s ambition to participate in the European Sky Shield air defense system.
Tanner expects the first fully functioning units to return in 2025. The project must then be fully realized in five years.
Rheinmetall Managing Director: “Austria has a pioneering role”
Oliver Dürr, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Air Defense AG, praised the rapid completion of the contract and emphasized that Austria recognized the threat of drones “early on” and took on a “pioneering role”.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
