Regardless of having been refused twice prior to now six months, the Spanish authorities has once more requested Switzerland to permit the supply of Swiss-made erlikon 35 mm towed anti-aircraft gun to Ukraine. Earlier vetoes on the supply of Swiss-made tools to Ukraine weren’t made public. The request covers twin-35mm anti-aircraft cannons, and the request has been acknowledged by the Swiss Secretariat of State for Financial Affairs (SECO), which controls arms exports. In June 2022, the Switzerland had already blocked the re-export of Swiss weapons to Ukraine as a result of precept of equal remedy beneath its neutrality regulation and the Conflict Materials Act. Below Conflict Materials Act, Swiss Federal Council should refuse weapons exports if the nation of vacation spot is concerned in a global armed battle. Russia and Ukraine have been in such a battle since February 2022.
Spain had beforehand requested Switzerland to permit the re-export to Ukraine of Aspide missiles which can be a part of the Skyguard system developed and produced by Swiss firm Oerlikon Contraves (Rheinmetall Air Defence) which additionally consists of twin-35mm Oerlikon cannons. For a similar cause, Switzerland can also be stopping Italy from giving Ukraine the Skyguard Aspide and Spada techniques which can be being retired by the Italian Military and Air Drive. Switzerland has additionally blocked supply to Ukraine of the 35mm ammunition utilized by the Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft car delivered by Germany to Ukraine, and which closely contributed to Ukraine’s efficient air protection. This ammunition is simply produced in Switzerland.
Commercial
The pressing must arrange 35mm manufacturing exterior of Switzerland is likely one of the most important causes for which Rheinmetall in mid-November acquired Spanish ammunition producer Expal Methods. The deal was primarily based on an enterprise worth of €1.2 billion. The acquisition will nearly definitely be worthwhile as a result of, because the warfare in Ukraine and the latest battle in Nagorno-Karabakh have amply demonstrated, anti-aircraft artillery stays the simplest weapons in opposition to drones and loitering munitions. Expal has the manufacturing capability to double its turnover, and clients are already turning up, as simply final week an export buyer awarded Rheinmetall a contract value a number of hundred million euros to improve its 35mm cannon-based air defence techniques.
The Oerlikon GDF or Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves (renamed as Rheinmetall Air Defence AG following the merger with Rheinmetall in 2009). It was developed within the late Fifties and is utilized by round 30 international locations. The system makes use of twin autocannons, firing 35×228mm NATO-standard ammunition. It was initially designated 353 MK and is now designated because the KD collection. The Spanish Military operated 92 GDF-007 upgraded from GDF-005 between 2003 and 2006. With 27 Skydor and 18 Skyguard FC radars. The Skyguard hearth management system performs air surveillance, goal acquisition, calculation of the derivative-action values and management of the dual 35 mm weapons. In Spanish service, Toledo is a Skyguard system with Aspide launchers the place the fireplace management unit has been changed with Skydor from Navantia.
