Bundeswehr to enhance air defence capabilities with Skyranger 30 systems

Key component of broader air defence strategy

The Skyranger 30 will play a critical role in Germany’s short- and very short-range air defence, forming part of the German government’s European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). This initiative is designed to create a comprehensive, continent-wide air defence system, with Germany assuming the role of lead nation within NATO for ground-based air defence in Europe. The Skyranger 30 is also integrated into Germany’s national Next Generation Short-Range and Very Short-Range Air Defence System (NNbS), where it will serve as a key component in countering immediate aerial threats.

Closing a critical capability gap

The introduction of the Skyranger 30 addresses an urgent capability gap in Germany’s mobile air defence. With the retirement of the Gepard system, the Bundeswehr had been left with limited protection against aerial threats. The Skyranger 30 offers a versatile and highly mobile solution that combines protection, precision, and flexibility to meet the challenges posed by modern warfare. This hybrid system features a compact turret mounted on the highly mobile Boxer 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle, combining a powerful 30mm revolver gun, surface-to-air missiles, and advanced sensors on a single platform.

The Skyranger 30 is particularly suited for short- to very short-range air defence, with a focus on countering drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. According to Rheinmetall, the system is especially effective against drones, thanks to its use of programmable airburst ammunition. This ammunition is designed to detonate mid-air, maximising its effectiveness against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other small aerial targets.

Highly effective weapons system

At the heart of the Skyranger 30 is the 30mm x 173 KCE revolver cannon, a highly effective weapon with a firing rate of approximately 1,250 rounds per minute. This system is also equipped with Stinger missiles, offering a dual-layered defence capable of engaging aerial targets at ranges of up to three kilometres. Depending on customer requirements, the Skyranger can also be fitted with alternative modern guided missiles, such as the Mistral or specialised counter-UAV (C-UAS) missiles, further enhancing its flexibility.

The system’s Spexer 2000M radar provides comprehensive situational awareness, tracking over 300 moving targets simultaneously, even while the vehicle is on the move. In addition to its offensive capabilities, the Skyranger 30 also boasts advanced protective measures, such as the ROSY (Rapid Obscuring System), which allows the vehicle to deploy smoke quickly to obscure itself from enemy detection.

Accelerated procurement process

Development of the Skyranger 30 began in 2018, with a prototype expected by the end of 2024. The German Bundestag approved the procurement in February 2024, and the contract includes provisions for maintenance equipment, onboard simulators for training, and eight reloading vehicles. The relatively swift procurement timeline—taking less than six years from development to delivery—has been credited to a 2022 law aimed at streamlining the military’s procurement processes. This law has significantly reduced the delays typically seen in such defence projects.

Part of a larger European effort

The Skyranger 30 is not only critical for Germany but also for Europe’s collective air defence strategy. As part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, the system is attracting interest from several NATO and European Union member states. Austria recently ordered 36 Skyranger 30 systems, while Hungary and Lithuania are exploring Skyranger variants for their own air defence needs. Denmark also plans to procure the Skyranger 30, combined with another wheeled armoured vehicle.

Proven in field trials

In December 2023, Rheinmetall successfully conducted live-fire trials of a functional demonstrator of the Skyranger 30 at its proving ground in Ochsenboden, Switzerland. The trials, which included both stationary and mobile operations, provided critical data that will expedite the production and integration of the Skyranger 30 for the Bundeswehr. These successful trials mark an important step forward in the system’s development, ensuring a smoother and faster delivery process for the German Armed Forces.

A strategic response to modern warfare

The Skyranger 30’s introduction comes as a strategic response to the increasing role of UAVs in modern conflicts, where drones are being used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeted strikes. The war in Ukraine has underscored the growing importance of drones on the battlefield, making the Skyranger 30 an essential asset for the Bundeswehr as it seeks to modernise its air defence capabilities.

As the first Skyranger 30 system is expected by the end of 2024, Germany is positioning itself to enhance its air defence capabilities in the coming years, ensuring its forces are better prepared to face the challenges of future warfare.