The Indian Army has begun a detailed evaluation of the German-made Oerlikon Skyshield, an advanced short-range air-defence system designed to stop modern aerial threats. Fast, low-flying drones, cruise missiles and small aircraft increasingly dominate battlefields around the world, and older gun systems struggle to detect them, which is why the Army made this decision now.
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India’s existing anti-aircraft guns were built for a time when threats were bigger and easier to track. Today, drones can fly quietly at low heights, hide from radar and attack important targets with surprising accuracy. Because of this shift, the Army is now exploring smarter systems that combine speed, precision and modern technology.
The Oerlikon Skyshield stands out for its ability to react within seconds, track multiple targets and destroy them before they hit their goal. The evaluation marks a significant move toward strengthening close-range air protection for sensitive military zones, bases and frontline positions.
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Understanding the Oerlikon Skyshield System
The Oerlikon Skyshield is a modular and lightweight short-range air-defence solution. A Swiss firm originally designed it, and a German defence manufacturer now builds it. The system quickly detects, identifies and eliminates aerial threats such as drones, helicopters, precision-guided weapons and cruise missiles.
At its core, the Oerlikon Skyshield uses two 35 mm revolver cannons, each capable of firing up to 1,000 rounds per minute. This rapid rate of fire gives it the power to strike very small and fast-moving objects in the sky. What makes this system even more advanced is its special AHEAD ammunition. Instead of hitting the target directly, the ammunition bursts in front of it and releases hundreds of tiny metal pellets. These pellets create a cloud that dramatically increases the chance of destroying drones or missiles that are too quick or too tiny for traditional bullets.
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The system also includes a modern radar unit that constantly scans the sky, along with a command-and-control module that calculates the correct moment to fire. Everything works digitally and in real time, which makes the system extremely accurate.
Because of its modular design, operators can place different parts of the Oerlikon Skyshield — the guns, radar and command post — at different spots across a location. This helps cover a larger area. It can also connect with other air-defence systems, helping form a multi-layered protection shield.
Why the Indian Army Is Interested in Oerlikon Skyshield
New kinds of threats have made close-range air defence more important than ever. Small drones can carry explosives, cruise missiles can fly low to avoid detection, and drone swarms can attack in groups. These challenges require defence systems that are fast, flexible and precise — qualities that the Oerlikon Skyshield delivers by design.
The Indian Army is particularly interested in how effectively it neutralizes drones. With increased drone activity near border regions, India needs systems that can stop these threats before they reach critical areas. The high firing speed and smart ammunition of the Oerlikon Skyshield offer a much better chance of bringing down such threats compared to older guns.
The system also fits perfectly into India’s plan for a layered air-defence network. Long-range missiles can take care of high-altitude threats, while short-range systems like the Oerlikon Skyshield can handle low-flying objects that appear suddenly. This makes the entire defence grid stronger and more reliable.
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The Oerlikon Skyshield can counter saturation attacks by engaging multiple drones or missiles within seconds using its rapid-fire cannons and digital tracking. Its open design also supports future upgrades, including missiles, electronic warfare tools or laser-based weapons.
India is exploring local production of the system under the “Make in India” initiative while engineers test its performance in different climates and terrains. If it meets operational needs, the Army may deploy it to protect bases, frontline units and other critical infrastructure.