Rheinmetall expects billion-Euro order for Skyranger 

Rheinmetall anticipates a new order from the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, for its Skyranger mobile air defence system, valued between €6 billion and €8 billion, before the end of the year. This was announced by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger during a recent conference call with analysts.

Papperger declined to specify the exact number of units, citing security agreements with the Ministry of Defence that prevent public discussion of such figures. He noted that the expected orders would likely be delivered by 2035, covering two distinct periods: from now until 2029 and from 2029 to 2035. According to Papperger, these are the two planning horizons currently being used by the German government.

The expected order reflects a massive expansion of Germany’s air defence and anti-aircraft capabilities. Well-informed sources suggest the Bundeswehr is aiming to significantly increase its ground-based air defence capacities across all interception layers. Reports indicate a need for 500 to 600 of the Skyranger anti-aircraft cannon systems for the lowest interception layer alone. This number of systems is believed to align with the estimated value of the multi-billion-euro contract.

Tech profile: Skyranger

In February 2024, the Bundeswehr commissioned Rheinmetall to develop and supply a demonstrator and 18 series-production Skyranger 30 anti-aircraft gun systems on the Boxer vehicle platform, an order valued at €595 million. The test vehicle was delivered to the Bundeswehr in late January 2025, with the series-production vehicles slated for delivery in 2027 and 2028.

The Skyranger 30 air defence system is designed to fill a critical gap in mobile, close-range air defence. According to Rheinmetall, the system can operate autonomously or in a networked capacity. Its use of AHEAD ammunition with a programmable airburst point makes it particularly effective against drones. The system features a hybrid turret that integrates a 30mm KCE revolver cannon, surface-to-air missiles, and a comprehensive sensor suite onto a single platform.

The Bundeswehr’s Skyranger 30 will also be equipped with the DefendAir drone defence missile, a low-cost, short-range missile previously known as the Small Anti-Drone Missile (SADM), which is being developed by MBDA. The system is designed to carry nine to twelve of these missiles, allowing it to engage aerial targets up to five kilometres away. Development and qualification of the DefendAir missile are reportedly scheduled for completion by 2029, with procurement beginning in 2030.

The Skyranger 30’s primary weapon is the KCE 30x173mm revolver cannon, which has a range of up to 3,000 metres. The weapon has proven its precision and firepower in tests under adverse weather conditions. It fires Air Bursting Munitions (ABM) that are programmed at the moment of exiting the barrel to detonate after a calculated distance. This releases a large number of tungsten sub-projectiles, creating a fast-moving cloud capable of neutralising small drones. The system’s precision is enhanced by a technology that measures the exact muzzle velocity of each round before programming, ensuring accuracy.

The system’s advanced sensor suite includes Hensoldt’s SPEXER 2000M 3D MkIII radars. Three radar panels provide a full 360-degree air picture. Each panel can simultaneously detect and track over 300 targets, from micro-drones to fighter jets and cruise missiles. The radar operates in the X-band frequency range (9.2 to 10 GHz) and can detect targets up to 40 kilometres away, even while the vehicle is in motion. The Skyranger 30 is also equipped with powerful electro-optics, reportedly supplied by the British company Chess Dynamics.

Calibre comment

Orders for the Skyranger have soared as Russia’s use of the Geran and Shahed one-way attack drones has increased, driving countries to look for cost-effective solutions to that type of threat. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Hungary have all placed orders or expressed strong interest in the system since 2022. A cannon interception of a Shahed is far cheaper than even the most economical air defence missiles. However, if Russia continues to increase the altitude at which its Gerans fly, there would be little choice but to employ the short-range air defence missiles carried by the Skyranger, negating its cost advantages to some extent. 

This article, written by Waldemar Geiger and edited by Calibre Defence, was originally published in German by hartpunkt. Credit for the lead image is hartpunkt/Lars Hoffman.