The Oerlikon Contraves 25 mm automatic cannon Type KBA has been developed as a close-range multipurpose weapon for the modern battlefield. Due to its firepower, various types of ammunition and its Instant Ammunition Selection Device (IASD), the KBA can engage lightly armoured vehicles, infantry and antitank positions, helicopters and combat aircraft.

The most recent application for the Oerlikon Contraves 25 mm KBA cannon is for the 200 Dardo infantry fighting vehicles ordered by the Italian Army late in 1998.

The Oerlikon Contraves KBA 25 mm cannon is a fully automatic, positively locked, gas-operated weapon with a rotating bolt head and double belt feed. These features guarantee high reliability and safety, even under the most extreme environmental conditions.

The KBA offers a wide range of firing modes: single shot; programmable rapid single shot with a rate of fire of up to 175 rds/min; and full automatic fire of 600 rds/ min. The cannon functions, such as cocking and firing, are electrically actuated by remote control from the gunner's control box and in auxiliary mode mechanically by a hand crank and a trigger pedal. Types of 25x137 mm (NATO) ammunition fired include HEI-T, SAPHEI-T, TP-T, APDS-T, TPDS-T, APFSDS-T and FADPS.

For maintenance purposes the cannon can be stripped to its main assemblies without tools.

Small size and low weight offer various integration possibilities such as one- and two-man gun turrets on IFVs, APCs, reconnaissance and AA vehicles and field, naval and helicopter mounts.

In production. In service with Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Italy, Netherlands, Philippines, Turkey and Japan; also used by other countries. Installed in Oerlikon Contraves GBD-AOA gun turret on M113 C + R. In four barrel SIDAM 25 Otobreda anti-aircraft turret on M113A1 for Italy, Otobreda T25 turret, Hagglunds Vehicle 25 mm turret and Otobreda naval gun mount. Details of some of these turrets are given in the AFV turrets and cupolas section later in this book.