The precise quantity was not disclosed, though previous reports on Bundeswehr procurement plans have suggested a requirement for as many as 500 to 600 Skyranger 30 units in various configurations. Papperger indicated the contract could take the form of a framework agreement followed by several execution contracts, with purchases planned in two phases.
Rheinmetall is currently in discussions with the Bundeswehr for deliveries up to 2029, and separately for the period 2029 to 2035. The procurement is linked to Berlin’s commitment to meet NATO defence spending targets, with Germany aiming to allocate around 3.5% of GDP to defence by 2029, and to a planned redefinition of those targets in the same year.
The Skyranger 30 is a turret system developed by Rheinmetall Air Defence, armed with a 30 mm KCE-ABM revolver cannon with airburst munition programming and a short-range guided missile launcher. Available missile types include the MBDA Mistral 3, RTX Stinger, and Halcon SkyKnight, with future integration of lasers of up to 20 kW planned, potentially increasing to 50 kW or even 100 kW.
The turret can house two types of radar target detection systems with fixed AESA antennas and various configurations of optoelectronic sensor heads mounted on its roof. According to Rheinmetall, the flexible choice of weapons and observation systems is intended to provide effective and cost-efficient engagement of a wide range of aerial threats, with configurations available for stationary, mobile and self-propelled deployment.
