Rheinmetall delivers first Skynex air defense system to Italy
The Italian Army has taken delivery of its first Skynex air defense system from Rheinmetall. The order, valued at €73 million, includes options for three additional units.
Rheinmetall officially handed over the first Skynex air defense battery to the Italian Army on December 18, 2025. The ceremony took place at the Air Defense Artillery Command in Sabaudia, marking Italy’s deployment of a system designed to counter short-range threats, particularly drones and cruise missiles.
The procurement contract, signed in January 2025, is valued at €73 million for the initial unit. The agreement also provides Italy with the option to acquire three further systems, which would bring the total potential contract value to €204 million. Italy is the first NATO member state to integrate this specific technology into its defensive arsenal.
The Skynex system centers on the 35mm Revolver Gun Mk3, which features a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute and a range of up to four kilometers. It utilizes programmable ammunition resistant to electronic countermeasures. The system is paired with the XTAR 3D radar, capable of monitoring airspace within a 50-kilometer radius.
Designed for modularity, the Skynex architecture allows for the integration of existing sensors and effectors, including older Rheinmetall air defense units like the Skyshield and Skyguard families. This interoperability enables a centralized command-and-control network, centralizing target assignment across different field assets.