Rheinmetall Plans Major Skyranger Production Expansion
Rheinmetall plans to expand production of its Skyranger air defense system to three additional countries as it prepares for a surge in global demand.
The system is currently built by Rheinmetall Air Defence (formerly Oerlikon) in Switzerland, but present capacity is no longer sufficient to meet growing requirements.
Germany is preparing a multi-billion-euro order for several hundred Skyranger systems, in addition to an earlier contract for 19 platforms.
Austria and Denmark have also ordered 36 and 16 systems, respectively, while the Netherlands plans to acquire 22 units.
According to Defense Network, production for the future German order is expected to take place in Neuss, Germany, with additional manufacturing sites planned in Hungary and Italy.
Germany is expected to receive its first Skyranger system in late 2027 or 2028.
Skyranger
The system’s modular turret integrates an advanced sensor suite with a 30mm Revolver cannon and a guided missile system such as Mistral.
Germany has contracted MBDA to equip the platform with the DefendAir anti-drone guided missile, designed to counter class 1 unmanned aerial systems weighing up to 150 kilograms (331 pounds).
Equipped with an optimized seeker and tailored warhead, the DefendAir has an engagement range of up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles), and each launcher can carry nine to 12 missiles depending on configuration.
The automatic cannon delivers 1,250 rounds per minute and has an effective range of about 3 kilometers (1.86 miles).
It fires programmable airburst rounds that disperse tungsten fragments at a preset point, eliminating the need for a direct hit.
The platform incorporates a command system that generates a localized air picture to support rapid threat assessment.
Designed for modern battlefield requirements, the Skyranger can counter drones, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and loitering munitions.
Combined, the 30mm cannon and missile loadout reportedly enable a single Skyranger to neutralize up to 30 drones in one engagement.
