The US Space Force has unveiled its new Remote Modular Terminal (RMT) weapon system. The system has completed its…
Switzerland could have transferred Rapier ground-to-air missile systems to their original manufacturer, the United Kingdom, and from there to be given to Ukraine, but instead, “true” to its neutrality, chose to withdraw them, causing the strong reaction of its European allies.
Specifically, in the near future, Switzerland will withdraw 60 Rapier ground-to-air systems, an anti-aircraft missile system originally developed by the British Aircraft Corporation (later MBDA UK) in the 1960s for the British Army and Royal Air Force (RAF).
The Rapier entered service in 1971 and was first used on the battlefield during the Falklands War.
Switzerland acquired 60 Rapier systems in 1980, which were upgraded several times before being decommissioned and declared unfit for service late last year.
A first batch of Rapiers has already been dismantled and three more will follow, confirmed Kaj-Gunnar Sievert, a spokesman for Armasuisse, the Federal Office of Armaments of the Ministry of Defence in Bern.
These missiles are certainly old, but they are not completely obsolete, said Peter Schneider, former director of the Swiss Military Review, recalling that the British protected the 2012 London Olympics with Rapier missiles.
Therefore, they could very well be used even today against low-flying targets such as drones and helicopters, and even fighter jets in the Ukrainian theater of operations giving the Ukrainians yet another armament solution.
Rapier systems are capable of engaging low-altitude and highly maneuverable supersonic targets and can be towed behind medium-sized vehicles and armored personnel carriers. In fact, the missiles of the system in question are also airborne from aircraft or helicopters.
JERNAS, the export name for the Rapier FSC (Field Standard C) air defence system, was further developed by MBDA UK and is based on the Rapier Mk2 missile and launcher, which is in service with the British Army and RAF, the Blindfire target acquisition radar and the Dagger surveillance radar.
The launcher has eight ready-to-fire missiles mounted on launch rails on the sides of a rotatable turret. A full reload of the system is done manually in 2 minutes and no lifting aids are required.
Its technical characteristics include:
- Warhead: fragmentation high explosive with built-in multi-function laser proximity fuze
- Propulsion system: two-stage solid propellant engine
- Guidance system: infrared and radar in line of sight
- Maximum range: > 15 km with maximum altitudes of 5 km
- Endurance: 32 km
- IFF system (Identification Friend or Foe)
- Capability to detect more than 75 threats per second via passive sensor
- Self-defence system against anti-radar missiles
- Dual shot capability with a maximum projectile speed of Mach 2.5
Also read: Croatia | Acquisition of Mistral 3 air defence missile systems from MBDA
Various versions of the Rapier missile system are in service with nine countries. Oman, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, and Turkey have upgraded these systems (Mk2), while the Australian Army withdrew its Rapier systems from service in November 2005.
As already mentioned, the system in question is also part of the arsenal of the Turkish Armed Forces, but it is being decommissioned and will be replaced by the domestically manufactured Hisar-A.
Also read: Aselsan | Modernized Oerlikon 35mm air defence gun to the Turkish Army – VIDEO
READ MORE
ASCANIO | Made-in-Cyprus Mixed Reality training
https://defenceredefined.com.cy/ascanio-made-in-cyprus-mixed-reality-training/Technology is advancing at an accelerated pace and so do the training requirements of those holding high-risk positions.
IWI | Introduces Micro Folding Battle Sights to enhance Co-Witness capabilities
IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), a member of the SK Group, has unveiled its new Micro Folding Battle Sights (MFBS).
Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association | Ideas & Positions for the Promotion of Greek Entrepreneurship
The members of the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association (E.E.N.E.) participated in a roundtable discussion entitled “Ideas, Positions…
Ukraine | Increase in defence spending by 367 million euros for the acquisition of drones
Kiev is increasing spending by 15.5 billion hryvnias (367 million euros) to bolster Ukraine’s armed forces with drones, according to…
HMoND | The legislative initiative for HCDI is under consultation
The legislative initiative of the Ministry of National Defence, under the title: “Establishment of the Hellenic Center for Defence…
Russia | Cluster bombs hit residential area in Odessa
Images from Russia’s strike in the heart of Odessa, which hit the so-called “Harry Potter Castle”, a former politician’s mansion now…
France | Industries prioritize orders of anti-aircraft missiles
The Armed Forces Ministry of France has instructed industries involved in the production of Aster anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic…
Ecuador | Appeals to International Court of Justice denouncing Mexico
Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy hours after the Mexican government granted former Vice President…