History
Celebrating our achievements - Aiming for the future
Rheinmetall Canada (originally Oerlikon Aerospace) was formed in April 1986 as the Canadian home for Oerlikon's business in North America. The company's first mandate was to manufacture and provide support for the Air Defence Anti-Tank System (ADATS) missile system for the Canadian Forces Low-Level Air Defence (LLAD) program, a program which was retired on
31 March 2011.
We are proud to have built and sustained this sophisticated weapon system here in Canada. This "ADATS experience" was a defining period during the company's evolution as we developed a unique blend of state-of-the-art services in systems, subsystems, software, and logistics engineering. It laid the foundation to expand into new markets, such as battle management, land defence, and homeland security.
History at a glance
The early years
1986
Creation of Oerlikon Aerospace Inc.
1986
Contract award - Canadian Forces ADATS.
1987
Contract award - United States Army for Forward Area Air Defence System.
1993-1995
Completion period of the ADATS contract; start of the system engineering support repair and overhaul contract.
Diversification phase
1999
Acquisition by Rheinmetall AG.
2000
Use of ADATS experience and technology to penetrate new niche markets.
2001
Creation of Oerlikon Transtec Inc.
2007
Opening of Ottawa office.
Name changed to Rheinmetall Canada Inc.
2009
Start of collaborative activities with the Rheinmetall Defence group.
2010
Integration within Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, Germany.
2011
Celebrating 25th anniversary in Canada.
