Netherlands selects Rheinmetall Skyranger 30 turret for mobile air defence systems

The selected platform for these systems is the tracked armoured personnel carrier G5/ACSV, manufactured by Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH. This vehicle has already been chosen as the base for the Netherlands’ NOMADS short-range air defence system, ensuring logistical efficiency through chassis standardisation and reducing operational and training costs.

The decision to acquire these air defence systems was influenced by lessons learned from recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Dutch defence officials recognise the increasing role of armed drones on the battlefield and the need for immediate countermeasures as part of the ongoing technological arms race.

The Ministry of Defence hopes that negotiations with the supplier will proceed swiftly to facilitate rapid contract finalisation and delivery. While the exact contract value remains undisclosed, estimates suggest it will be below €1 billion.

The Skyranger 30 systems will be assigned to the Army’s Air Defence Command and stationed at the Vredepeel garrison. In preparation for their deployment, personnel numbers at the base will increase by approximately 125 soldiers and officers.

The ACSV, initially developed for the Norwegian Army, is a modern variant of the FFG PMMC G5 armoured personnel carrier. It was designed as a successor to the widely used American M113 and features dimensions of 6.2 metres in length, 2.9 metres in width, and 2.5 metres in height.

Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 30 turret is an advanced air defence system featuring a 30 mm KCE-ABM revolver cannon with programmable ammunition and a close-range missile launcher. The specific configuration chosen by the Netherlands has not yet been disclosed.

Potential missile options for the system include MBDA Mistral 3, RTX Stinger, or Halcon SkyKnight, with a future possibility of integrating a high-energy laser system. Depending on the variant, the turret may also be equipped with two types of AESA radar detection systems and an advanced electro-optical targeting suite.

According to Rheinmetall, the modularity of the Skyranger 30 ensures cost-effective and efficient defence against a range of aerial threats. This flexibility will enhance the Netherlands’ air defence capabilities, reinforcing the country’s readiness against emerging threats.