German Skynex air defense systems deployed and ready in Ukraine to fight Russian aerial threats


According to information published on the Telegram account of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyha on April 26, 2022, the German Skynex air defense cannon and missile systems are already on combat duty in Ukraine to fight Russian aerial threats. Ukraine is also considering the possibility of joint production of components of these systems.
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Oerlikon Skyranger Gun 35mm revolver cannon part of the Rheinmetall Skynex air defense system. (Picture source Army Recognition)


On December 10, 2022, the Army Recognition editorial team reported that the order of the two Skynex mobile air defense weapon systems announced by the German company Rheinmetall on December 9, 2022, was for Ukraine.

The Skynex air defense system, developed by the German company Rheinmetall, is designed to protect critical assets and infrastructure against a wide range of aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. The system is composed of several key components, such as the Oerlikon Skyranger Gun, Oerlikon Twin Gun, multi-mission radar, C4I system, electronic warfare system, and surface-to-air missiles.

The engagement range and altitude capabilities of the Skynex system depend on the specific components being utilized. The Oerlikon Skyranger Gun, a 35mm revolver cannon, and the Oerlikon Twin Gun, a dual-barreled remote-controlled weapon station with two 35mm guns, both have an effective range of up to 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet).

The surface-to-air missiles integrated into the Skynex system offer varying ranges and altitude capabilities depending on the type of missile used. For example, the Rheinmetall Oerlikon Surface-to-Air Missile (ROSAM) has an effective range of up to 6,000 meters (3.7 miles) and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters (16,404 feet). Other missiles, such as the AIM-9X Sidewinder, can have an effective range of up to 35 km (21.7 miles) and engage targets at higher altitudes.

The multi-mission radar, responsible for detecting, tracking, and classifying aerial targets, typically has a detection range of around 20-30 kilometers (12-18 miles). However, this range is dependent on the radar's specific configuration and the size of the target. The Skynex air defense system can operate autonomously or be integrated into a broader air defense network, with its modular design allowing for easy upgrades and adaptation to different threat scenarios.