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Breaking News: Rheinmetall Delivers First Skyranger 30 Air Defence System to German Army.
Rheinmetall has successfully delivered the first Boxer Skyranger 30 cannon-based air defense vehicle to the Bundeswehr. The delivery, completed at the end of January 2025, marks the arrival of a verification model that will undergo necessary approval processes, including user training and operational trials. These trials are set to begin in the spring of 2025, with serial deliveries scheduled to start in 2027 and extend into 2028.
The Skyranger 30 is a very short-range air defense system designed to provide a rapid and effective response against a wide range of aerial threats. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)
This delivery follows a February 2024 contract between the Bundeswehr and Rheinmetall for the development and delivery of one verification model and 18 series-produced vehicles of the Skyranger 30, mounted on the Boxer 8x8 vehicle platform. The Skyranger 30 system is designed to address a critical capability gap in mobile air defense, combining mobility, protection, flexibility, and precision for countering modern aerial threats at close and very close ranges.
The Skyranger 30 is a very short-range air defense system designed to provide a rapid and effective response against a wide range of aerial threats. Developed by Rheinmetall Air Defence AG and produced starting in 2024, this system is mounted on a turret weighing between 2.5 to 3.4 tons, with dimensions of 5.175 meters in length, 2.568 meters in width, and 1.444 meters in height. The turret is equipped with an Oerlikon KCE 30×173 mm cannon, capable of firing projectiles at a nominal rate of 1,200 rounds per minute, with a muzzle velocity of 1,050 m/s.
The Skyranger 30 combines the power of its cannon with surface-to-air missiles, offering a maximum range of 5 to 8 kilometers for guided projectiles, while the cannon has an effective range of 3 kilometers. This system uses programmable airburst ammunition (Airburst), which allows for high precision in destroying threats such as drones. The system is protected by armor meeting the STANAG 4569 Level 2 standard, which can be upgraded to Level 4 for enhanced protection against modern threats.
The Skyranger 30 is designed to be operated by a crew of three and can function autonomously or in a networked environment. Its ability to intercept low-altitude targets, such as drones and incoming projectiles within the defense zone, makes it a key asset in enhancing mobile air defense capabilities for military forces. The combination of mobility, versatile armament, and detection capabilities makes it especially suited to address complex and dynamic threat scenarios.
The Skyranger 30 is also part of the European Sky Shield initiative, with multiple NATO and EU countries showing strong interest in procuring the system. Following the recent announcement by the Dutch Ministry of Defence, which plans to acquire 22 Skyranger 30 units, other European nations, including Hungary, Austria, and Denmark, have also placed orders. Hungary, in particular, has commissioned Rheinmetall for the development of a similar turret for the Lynx KF41 tracked vehicle variant.
The Boxer Skyranger 30 system, with its cutting-edge capabilities, represents a strategic enhancement in mobile air defence for the Bundeswehr and is expected to play a crucial role in Europe’s broader defence initiatives.