This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Oerlikon GDF" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(April 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Oerlikon GDF
Swiss 35 mm Oerlikon twin cannon
Type	Autocannon
Place of origin	Switzerland
Service history
In service	1963–Present[1]
Used by	SeeOperators
Wars	Iran-Iraq War Falklands War South African Border War 2025 India-Pakistan conflict
Production history
Designer	Oerlikon
Manufacturer	Oerlikon
Produced	1958–present
Specifications
Mass	6,700 kg (14,800 lb) (with ammunition)
Length	7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) (travelling)
Barrel length	3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) (barrel)
Width	2.26 m (7 ft 5 in) (travelling)
Height	2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) (travelling)
Crew	3[2]
Shell	Complete round: 35×228mm, 1.565 kg (3 lb 7 oz)
Caliber	35 mm (1.4 in)
Action	Gas-operated[3]
Carriage	4 wheels withoutriggers
Elevation	−5°/+92°
Traverse	Full 360°
Rate of fire	550 rounds/min (per barrel)
Muzzle velocity	1,175 m/s (3,850 ft/s) (HEI-T)
Effective firing range	Ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)

TheOerlikon GDF^[4] orOerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towedanti-aircraft gun made byOerlikon Contraves (renamed asRheinmetall Air Defence AG following the merger withRheinmetall in 2009). The system was originally designated2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed toGDF-001. It was developed in the late 1950s and is used by around 30 countries.^[5]

The system uses twinautocannons, firing 35×228mm NATO-standard ammunition. It was originally designated 353 MK and is now designated as the KD series. The same KD series 35mm cannons are used in theLeopard 1 basedGepard andType 74 tank basedType 87 SPAAG andMarksmanself-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAG). The system could be paired with the off-gun (remote)Super Fledermaus fire control radar, which in the late 1970s was upgraded to theSkyguard system. The weapons were aimed either directly, by way of an advanced sighting system, or automatically, by locking onto the target with radar. Early models carried 112 rounds ready to fire, and an additional 126 stored on the chassis as reloads. Later versions with automated reloading carry 280 rounds total. A typical engagement burst is 28 rounds.^[4]

In 1980 an upgraded model, the GDF-002 was produced, which featured an improved sight, and the ability to be directed by an off-gun digital control system. A few years later a third version of the system was being produced, the GDF-003, which was broadly similar to the GDF-002, but included some enhancements like self-lubricating weapons and integrated protective covers.

A self-propelled concept, the GDF-001Escorter 35 existed.^[6][7][8]

In 1985 a further upgraded model was produced, the GDF-005, which was introduced, featuring theGunking 3D computer-controlled sight with an integrated laser range-finder and digital control system. The GDF-005 also introduced an automated ammunition-handling system, which eliminated the need for the two reloaders, reducing the crew from 3 to 1.^[4]

The guns are usually transported by a 5-tonne 6×6 truck.

Development of the KD series cannon began around 1952 soon after Oerlikon calculated that 35 mm was the optimum calibre for an anti-aircraft gun. The KD series cannons were a design adapted from the post-war 20 mm KAA 204 Gk cannon. Several designs were developed, including a water-cooled design, designated Mk 352, which was tested by theU.S. Navy.The final design was the Mk 323, which was developed in two variants, a belt-fed version the KDA, and a linkless version the KDC, fed by seven-round clips. Both designs are gas-operated, with a propped-lock locking system.^[9]

TheSuper Fledermaus fire control system was designed and built by the then separate Contraves company. It consists of a four-wheeled towed trailer with an E/F bandpulse dopplersearch radar with a range of around 15 km and a pulse doppler tracking radar operating in theJ band, also with a range of 15 km. It was also used as the fire control system on theGepard SPAAG.

This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(June 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Skyguard is a fire control system introduced in the 1960s to replace theContraves Super Fledermaus system in theSwiss Air Force. It is produced by Oerlikon-Buehrle (now Rheinmetall Air Defence). Updated version were fielded in 1975, 1995 and 2010. It's an all weather low to medium altitude (up to 3,000 m) air defence system with the maximum effective distance of 4,000 m.

The Skyguard fire control system performs air surveillance, target acquisition, calculation of the derivative-action values and control of the twin 35 mm guns. Pulse doppler search radar, pulse doppler tracking radar and co-axial television camera are mounted on the roof of the towed trailer. Skyguard is operated by four people. The radar is deployed quickly through the use of hydraulic systems for antenna erection. The trailer houses the crew of two and a small power generator.

A typical fire unit consists of two twin 35 mm gun platforms with a single Skyguard fire control radar. Skyguard systems can also incorporate an optionalSAM module based on the GDF's mount and radar system but with the guns replaced by four missile canisters. It can be armed with eitherAIM-7 Sparrow,RIM-7 Sea Sparrow orAspide missiles.

The Skyguard radar system was used in the German Air Force for surveillance of low-altitude flight zones. In Taiwanese service, the system includes the Sky Sentinel radar, one 35 mm Oerlikon twin gun and an AIM-7 Sparrow Missile Launcher. Greek service the Skyguard system with RIM-7M is known as the VELOS.^[10] In Spanish service, Toledo is a Skyguard system withAspide launchers where the fire control unit has been replaced with Skydor fromNavantia.

Designation:

• HEI: High Explosive Incendiary (-T—Tracer)
• SAPHEI: Semi-Armour Piercing High Explosive Incendiary
• FAPDS:Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot
• TP: Target Practice (-T—Tracer)
• AHEAD: Anti-missile rounds, that fire "152 heavy tungsten metal sub-projectiles".
• ATOM 35mm:Aselsan ATOM 35mm is aairburst round, that fire tungsten metal pellets as sub-projectiles. It is mainly designed to destroycruise missiles,anti-ship missiles,unmanned aerial vehicles,precision guided weapons, conventional and rotary-wing aircraft and various ground targets.^[11][12][13]
  • Specification:^[11][12]
    • Length of complete round : 387 mm
    • Fuze : Time-programmable base fuze with electronic selfdestruct function
    • Effective range : 4000 m
    • Maximum range : 12500 m

NorwegianNammo, in addition to Oerlikon, supplies at least some variants of this ammunition.^[14][15] Norwegian ammunition was supplied to Ukraine in 2022 for use in the GDF guns in itsFlakpanzer Gepard anti-aircraft systems, but it was found not to be compatible, requiring modification.^[16]

• GDF-001 /2 ZLA/353 MK: XABA sight
• GDF-002: Introduced in 1980. Improved Ferranti sight and digital data bus. The gun has 112 rounds ready and 126 in reserve (238 rounds total)
• GDF-003: Minor enhancements including protective covers and automatic weapon lubrication.
• GDF-005: Introduced in 1985. Fitted withGunking 3D computer-controlled sight with a laser range finder and digital fire control system. Integrated power supply and diagnostics. 280 rounds on the gun and an automatic re-loading system.
• GDF-006: GDF-001/002/003 upgraded withAHEAD system.
• GDF-007: GDF-005 upgraded withAHEAD system.
• GDF-009: Unveiled atIDEF 2015, held in May 2015 inIstanbul. To date, its exterior significantly changed, although the installation has retained the design of the original serial versions of the systems. Unlike other variants, this one relies on an internal power source. The GDF-009 model is based on a four-wheeled carriage, and is raised off the ground by three stabilisers when deployed in the firing position. It also features an automatic levelling system that can compensate for a maximum tilt angle of up to 7°. Mounted on the forward part of the carriage is the integrated battery, which functions as the gun's power supply unit and can be recharged from an external source if required.^[17]
• AHEAD: An upgrade for the GDF series guns built around a special projectile which explodes at a pre-calculated point in front of the target, sending a cone of 152 tungsten sub-projectiles at the target. Used by Canada, Pakistan, Greece, Oman, Spain, Taiwan, and Chile (unconfirmed).
• MKE GDF-003B: Turkish version of 35 mm GDF series. The gun of the system manufactured under licence by Turkish company Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation.^[18][19]
• MKE/Aselsan GDF-003B Modernized: MKE GDF-003B system modernized by another Turkish companyAselsan.^[19] MKE made 35mm guns linked with an Aselsan made Fire and Command Control System. The system has similarities with Skyguard system. The Fire and Command Control System consists of Aselsan made 3D search radar, fire control radar, electro-optical (E/O) sensors and other electronics. Each weapons system can fire up to 1100 rpm (2 x 550rpm) to an effective range of 4 km.^[20][21] The upgradation enables the system to fire AselsanATOM 35mmairburst round which explodes at a pre-calculated point in front of the target, sending a cone of tungsten pellets at the target.^[11][12] The gun can also fire HEI and TP-T ammunitions.^[21] The concept ofATOM 35mm air burst ammunition came up in order to increase the efficiency of the gun systems against modern targets including fixed/rotary wing aircraft,cruise missiles,air-to-ground missiles andunmanned aerial vehicles and otherprecision guided weapons.^[21][11][12] Aselsan Fire and Command Control system can also incorporate a low altitude air defenseSAM along with 35 mm gun platform.^[21] Like the GDF-009 each gun platform equipped with the integrated battery, which functions as the gun's power supply unit and can be recharged from an external source if required.^[21]
• KORKUT: Turkish Self-propelled (SPAAG) variant designed by Aselsan. The system developed from modernized GDF-003B and based around theamphibious capableFNSS ACV-30. KDC-02 cannon of the system manufactured under licence by MKE.^[22] EachKorkut system comprises a command-and-control vehicle and three weapons platform vehicles. The command-and-control vehicle has the 3D search radar with an effective radar range of 70 km. Each weapon platform vehicle carries enclosed twin 35 mm cannons, fire control radar and electro-optical (E/O) sensors.^[23][24][25]
• Aselsan GOKDENIZ:CIWS version of KORKUT. The system's primary purpose is to defend againstsea skimminganti-ship missiles,unmanned aerial vehicles and otherprecision guided weapons.^[13][26]
• Gepard: Self-propelled (SPAAG) version of the system based around theLeopard 1.
• Marksman: Self-propelled version of the system based around the Marksman turret, which could be fitted on numerous tank chassis. The only model that went into production was a version based on the T-55AM chassis for Finland, seven systems of theITPSV 90 Marksman were produced. After having been moved to reserve storage since 2010, the Marksman turrets had their electronics modernized and were transferred over to Leopard 2 chassis in 2015,^[27] creating theITPSV Leopard 2 Marksman.^[28]
• Type 87: Japanese SPAAG using the system.
• PZA Loara: Polish SPAAG based on thePT-91 tank.
• Type 90 (PG99): Chinese licensed copy of GDF-002.^[29] The PG99 is a towed anti-aircraft gun suitable for point and coastal air defence. It is usually deployed near military bases, airfields, tunnels, islands, and along the coast to defend Sea Land of Communication (SLOC), ports, bridges and other important assets.^[30]
• MAA-01:Myanmar's locally made variant using Chinese GDF guns.Similar to Type-90.^[31]
• CS/SA1: Chinese upgrade of GDF-002.^[32] Mounted on the 6×6SX2190 truck, the PG99 (CS/SA1) is aself-propelled variant of the Type 90 35 mm AA system, previously available only as a towed AA piece.^[33]
• Type 09 SPAAA: Self-propelled version of the system based around the Type 90. First appeared in 2015 China Victory Day Parade.
• Samavat: Iranian version of these guns with night vision sight and used with Skyguard & Super Fledermaus FC radars.
• Amoun: Egyptian version of Skyguard &Sparrow SAM.

•  Argentina: 38 GDF-002 Army with Skyguard, 6 GDF-001 Air Force with Super Fledermaus FC radar.
•  Austria: 74 GDF-005 Army, Air Force 18 GDF-005 with 37 Skyguard FC radar
•  Bahrain: 12 GDF-005 units, used with Skyguard FC radar.
•  Bangladesh: 4-8 Oerlikon GDF-009 anti aircraft gun systems have been ordered with Skyguard 3 fire control radar.^{[34][verification needed]} In 2019, the gun systems have been tested atCox's Bazar.^[35][36]
•  Brazil: 38 GDF-001 with updated Super Fledermaus and Brazilian made Skyguard FC radars. To be fitted with the Saber M60 radar.
•  Cameroon: GDF-002 and Type-90 units^[37]
•  Canada: 20 GDF-005 units and 10 Skyguard FC radars in stock for emergency
•  Chile: 24 GDF-005/007 units, used with Skyguard FC radar.^[38]
•  China: licensed copy of GDF-002 as the Type 90, 400 units with Skyguard FC radar^[39]
•  Colombia: 75 GDF-005 units in reserve
•  Cyprus: 30 GDF-005 units used with Skyguard and Aspide SAM
•  Ecuador: 30 GDF-003 units
•  Egypt: 72 Amoun units used with Skyguard andSparrow SAM
•  Finland: 16 units. Known as 35 ITK 88
•  Germany: On theFlugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard (self-propelled anti-aircraft gun), 4 Skyguard FC radars used to monitor low level flying.
•  Greece: 24 GDF-002 units upgraded to GDF-006 AHEAD, 12 upgraded Skyguard FC radars, used withSparrow SAM
•  Iran: 92 GDF-002 units. Iran produces its own version called Samavat. Used with Skyguard & Super Fledermaus FC radars.
•  Indonesia: 8 GDF
•  Japan: some 70 GDF-001 units, used with updated Super Fledermaus FC radars. Made under a joint venture withJapan Steel Works for the 35mm gun andMitsubishi Electric Corporation for the rest of the system^[40] 52 On theType 87 (self-propelled anti-aircraft gun)
•  South Korea: 36 GDF-003 units, used with Skyguard FC radar.
•  Kuwait: 12 GDF-005 (Amoun) units, used with Skyguard andSparrow SAM
•  Malaysia: 28 GDF-005 units, used with Skyguard FC radar.
•  Myanmar: unknown number of locally made MAA-01, (Type-90) in service.^[31]
•  Nigeria: 16 GDF-002 units
•  Oman: 10 GDF-005 units AHEAD modified, used with Skyguard FC radar.
•  Pakistan: estimated 180 GDF-005 units, 60 units AHEAD modified, used with Skyguard FC radar.
•  Romania: 43Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard systems and 72 GDF-003 units
•  Saudi Arabia: 128 GDF-005 modified units. Used with Skyguard FC radars.
•  Singapore: 58 units : 34 GDF-001 and 24 GDF-002 units. Fire-control radar locally upgraded^[41]
•  South Africa: 102 GDF-002 (100 Mk1 GDF-002 units in 2004 were sold for $500 000) + 48 modified GDF-005 units. Upgrading to theSkyshield system, GDF-006 AHEAD and GDF-007 AHEAD standard by 2017. Some 169 Oerlikon GDF-00? were acquired by the SADF along with 75 Super Fledermaus FC radars.
•  Spain: 92 GDF-007 upgraded from GDF-005 between 2003 and 2006. With 27 Skydor and 18 Skyguard FC radars.^[42]
•  Switzerland: Some 24 GDF-005 modified units (from a total of 264 GDF-001/002 units) used with Skyguard FC Radar.
•  Taiwan: 24 Skyguard "Sky Sentinel" fire control radars linked to some 50 GDF-003 35 mm twin guns. Upgraded to GDF-006 to fire AHEAD rounds since 2009.
•  Thailand: 8 GDF-007, used with 4x Skyguard 3 FC radar units.
•  Turkey: 35 mm Oerlikon gun produced under licence byMKE.^[19][43] 120 GDF-003 units,^[44] Turkish version known asMKE GDF-003B.^[19] Multiple gun systems upgraded toGDF-003B Modernized with Aselsan Fire and Command Control System byAselsan.^[19][20][21]
•  Ukraine: 30 on theFlugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard SPAAGs.
•  United Arab Emirates: 30 GDF-005 units
•  United Kingdom: 15 GDF-002 35mm twin guns were captured during theFalklands War along with six Skyguard and one Super Fledermaus FC Radars. Currently four of these Skyguard fire control systems are being used to detect UK military aircraft exceeding flight restrictions over residential areas.^[45] GDF-002 guns now in storage and in a few military museums in the UK.

1982: The system was widely used byArgentine forces during theFalklands War. The Skyguard radar system was employed by the601 Antiaircraft Artillery Group and the Super Fledermaus by the 1st Group of theArgentine Air Force. This force shot down aSea Harrier (XZ450) on 4 May 1982 atGoose Green, prompting British aircraft to operate beyond its range. AnRAF Harrier (XZ988) was also shot down on 27 May^[46] and another, (XW919) was damaged by 35 mm splinters overSapper Hill on 12 June.^[47][48]

The system was used in a direct fire role during theBattle of Goose Green, killing two, wounding 11.^[49][50] and atWireless Ridge shortly before the Argentine surrender.^[51]

The weapons were involved in twofriendly fire incidents. On 1 May 1982, a GADA 601 battery shot down a combat-damaged ArgentineIAI Dagger A (C-412) near Stanley airfield.^[52][53] The second occurred on 24 May 1982, when anA-4 Skyhawk (C-244) entered a restricted zone over Goose Green and was shot down, killing the pilot, Lt Gavazzi.^[54][55]

Skyguard radars were targeted by theRAF duringOperation Black Buck on 31 May and 3 June. One radar was destroyed byShrike missile shrapnel, killing four operators.

British forces captured 15 guns and six Skyguard units, later refurbished in "Operation Skyguard". BMARC restored the GDF-002 AA guns at Faldingworth, while Rheinmetall/Oerlikon refurbished four radars in Germany. Twelve guns and four radars entered RAF service with 1339 Wing Royal Auxiliary Air Force, operated by 2729 and 2890 Squadrons atRAF Waddington. Two more Skyguard units were procured. Budget cuts and maintenance costs eventually forced their retirement.^[56][57] One gun is on display at the RAF Regiment Heritage Centre,RAF Honington. The Skyguard system is still used by the RAF to monitor low-level flights.

12 October 2007: A malfunctioning GDF-005 killed nine and injured 14 SANDF soldiers during an exercise at Lohatla,Northern Cape. The gun jammed, then entered automatic mode and fired a burst while traversing uncontrollably.^[58][59] A 2008 SANDF report blamed a sheared spring pin, while others cited poor training.^[60]

May 2025: ThePakistan Army Air Defence Corps deployed their Oerlikon GDF-002s during the2025 India–Pakistan conflict.^[61] India launched numerousIAI Harop drones, with Pakistani defences reportedly downing 77.^[62][63][64]

• List of artillery
• List of anti-aircraft artillery
• List of artillery of Germany
• List of artillery of Switzerland

Related development

• Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm Naval Revolver Gun System
• Type 09 SPAAA

Notes

Bibliography

• Media related toOerlikon 35mm at Wikimedia Commons
• Rheinmetall page on 35 mm ammo
• Official website
• Oerlikon Skyguard III Air Defense System on armyrecognition.com

• 35 mm artillery
• Autocannon
• Anti-aircraft guns
• Anti-aircraft guns of Germany
• Anti-aircraft guns of the Cold War
• Artillery of Switzerland
• Oerlikon-Contraves
• Military equipment introduced in the 1960s

• CS1 Turkish-language sources (tr)
• CS1 Finnish-language sources (fi)
• CS1 Bengali-language sources (bn)
• CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown
• CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list
• Webarchive template wayback links
• Articles with Japanese-language sources (ja)
• CS1 Spanish-language sources (es)
• Articles needing additional references from April 2018
• All articles needing additional references
• Use dmy dates from December 2024
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Articles needing additional references from June 2022
• All pages needing factual verification
• Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from September 2019
• Articles with Spanish-language sources (es)
• Commons category link from Wikidata