Germany Orders Rheinmetall Skyranger 30 Air Defence System
Rheinmetall will supply the Bundeswehr with the Skyranger 30 mobile air defence system under a contract worth approximately €595 million. The first prototype is expected by the end of 2024.
Rheinmetall has secured a contract worth approximately €595 million, including VAT, to supply the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) with its Skyranger 30 mobile air defence system. The order includes one prototype and 18 series production vehicles, with an additional option for 30 more systems. The prototype is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024.
This procurement is a key element of Germany's short- and very short-range air defence (NNbS) system, a project Rheinmetall and its partners were recently tasked with developing. The Skyranger 30 will be integrated into the European Sky Shield Initiative, where Germany leads ground-based air defence efforts within NATO.
The Skyranger 30 system addresses a critical gap in mobile air defence capabilities, offering a combination of mobility, protection, and precision. Its turret integrates a 30mm automatic cannon, surface-to-air missiles (Stinger missiles for the German order), and necessary sensor suites. Rheinmetall's programmable airburst ammunition makes the system particularly effective against drones. It is mounted on the 8x8 Boxer armoured vehicle.
Austria was the first international customer for the Skyranger 30, ordering 36 systems. Several other NATO and EU member states have also expressed interest or are in the process of acquiring the system. Hungary is developing a variant for the Lynx KF41 tracked vehicle, and Lithuania is studying the Boxer-mounted version. The system recently completed successful live-fire trials in Switzerland.