View source for Solothurn ST-5

The '''Solothurn ST-5''' is a 20 mm [[anti-aircraft gun]] designed by [[Solothurn]] in [[Switzerland]] which ultimately was the design basis for the highly successful [[2 cm FlaK 30]] series of guns used by [[Germany]] in [[World War II]].

Solothurn was owned by the German firm [[Rheinmetall]], which at the time was prohibited from developing certain weapons.  It and other German manufacturers sought partnerships with foreign firms, often owning them outright, in an effort to circumvent the terms of the [[Versailles Treaty]].

The ST-5 fired the 'Long Solothurn' ammunition.  The shell was 138 mm long, making it the most powerful 20 mm round available.  While Germany did not adopt the ST-5, the [[Kriegsmarine]] did acquire a version of the weapon for ship-board air defense.  The weapon was designated '''20 mm C/30''' and equipped several German naval vessels during World War II.  This weapon was further refined for the other German forces as the '''2 cm Flak 30''' described separately.

== See also ==

* [[List of anti-aircraft guns]]

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[[Category:20 mm artillery]]
[[Category:World War II anti-aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Artillery of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Rheinmetall]]

[[Category:2Fix]]