German defence group Rheinmetall (www.rheinmetall.com) has won a contract to supply Canada with missile defence radars modelled on the Israeli Iron Dome system.

The 304 Close Area Suppression Weapon (CASW) systems will be manufactured in Canada by a local division of the Düsseldorf-based company. The deal is worth 95 million Canadian dollars.

This is the first international sale of a fully integrated CASW system by the Rheinmetall Group, and it will be the first modern 40mm support weapon system deployed by the Canadian army.

National Defence Minister Jason Kenney praised the deal, saying: “Much like Israel’s successful Iron Dome technology, the Medium Range Radar system will be able to instantly track enemy fire aimed at Canadian armoured forces.” Delivery is expected to begin in 2017.

Rheinmetall also announced that it has won a contract to provide the Canadian military with the modular Integrated Soldier System, which “greatly improves the situational awareness of the individual soldier”.