Rheinmetall demonstrated its mobile air defense system Skyranger 30 at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) 2024, which took place from June 5 to 9, 2024 in Berlin. Mounted on a rugged Boxer 8×8 armored vehicle platform, this system meets the growing demand for ground-based air defense in Europe, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Mounted on the rugged Boxer 8×8 vehicle platform, the Skyranger 30 turret was the center of attention. Rheinmetall talked about its possibilities. The system includes a 30mm x 173 KCE turret gun with surface-to-air missiles, making it a powerful tool against traditional and emerging air threats.
In February 2024, the German government placed a significant order technology group from Dusseldorf to supply these systems, starting from the end of 2024. The Austrian government followed suit by selecting the Skyranger 30 on a different platform, the 6×6 GDELS. Pandur EVO.
Rheinmetall's air defense solution is part of a broader strategy, as it has been tasked with developing a short- and very short-range (NNbS) defense system for the Bundeswehr together with industrial partners. The Skyranger 30 will be an important component of the NNbS, contributing to Germany's leadership role in the European Sky Shield initiative aimed at strengthening ground-based air defense within NATO.
Skyranger 30 — it's not just a gun; is a hybrid air defense system capable of launching Stinger missiles in Germany and equipped with sensors that allow it to target and effectively neutralize threats. Its munitions include variable-velocity projectiles that are particularly effective against drones.
The acquisition of the Skyranger 30 by several NATO and EU members underscores the growing emphasis on mobile and flexible air defense systems that can adapt to the complex conditions of modern warfare. The move is expected to significantly strengthen the air defenses of the countries involved, securing their skies from current and future threats.