The Bangladesh Army has continued to purchase Swiss-made Oerlikon GDF-009s to bring about qualitative improvement in its air defence capabilities.
The latest acquisition follows the induction of the NORINCO-supplied CS/AA3 air defence guns of the same calibre in 11 March 2024. The two systems are essentially the latest reteration of the Oerlikon GDF series twin anti-aircraft guns developed by Oerlikon Contraves (renamed as Rheinmetall Air Defence AG since 2009) and is used by armed forces of at least 30 countries in large numbers.
Both systems are intended to intercept low and slow-flying threats such as close air support aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
GDF-009 (Switzerland)
Unveiled at IDEF 2015, held in May 2015 in Istanbul. 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. It can fire air-bursting timed AHEAD munitions.
CS/AA3 (China)
The system comprises a 35 mm twin-barrel anti-aircraft gun mounted on a two-axle towed trailer, a power generator, and a fire-control unit (FCU).
The cannons of the gun are chambered in a 35×228 mm cartridge – fed from 7-round clips – which are capable of firing a variety of ammunition natures, including the NORINCO 35 mm Programmable Time Fuze Pre-fragmented (PTFP) round. It is capable of hitting ground and air targets at a maximum slant range of 11 km but an effective strike range of 4 km.