Ukraine receives Skynex air defense systems from Germany to counter Russian drones

Europe, News January 10, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

In the latest military aid package for Kyiv, Germany has announced that it would provide its fastest air defense system, Skynex, to Ukraine. Skynex would provide an ideal cost-effective solution to counter Russia’s drone attack.

Germany’s military package includes deliveries of Marder armored vehicles, tanks, 155mm artillery, and small arms ammunition, mine-clearing and bridge-laying tanks, ground surveillance radars, trucks, assault rifles, and other equipment for Ukraine.

The deliveries come in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeals to Western allies for increased support in the face of escalating aerial assaults by Russia throughout Ukraine. Germany has also provided two TRML-4D air surveillance radars, 30 drone detection systems, and supplementary artillery and munitions to Kyiv.

Following the deliveries of military equipment, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged other EU nations to deliver more military aid to Ukraine adding that Berlin has asked Brussels to check with countries on their planned support for Kyiv.

“I therefore call on our allies in the European Union to also step up their efforts in support of Ukraine. The arms deliveries for Ukraine planned so far by the majority of EU member states are by all means too small,” he said. “We need higher contributions.”

Austria and Rheinmetall defense contract — *^{Rheinmetall Skyguard air defense systems. (Image Credit: Rheinmetall)}*

Since the start of 2024, Russia has increased the intensity of drone attacks on Ukraine. Russia has been using drone swarms to attack major Ukrainian cities. Ukraine’s conventional missile defense systems have proven to be quite ineffective and expensive in countering Russia’s cheap Iranian-made Kamikaze drones.

In the latest aid package announced by the German government, it was unveiled that Ukraine has received Oerlikon Skynex, a German-made anti-aircraft system designed for short-range defense.

Germany first announced a $200 million contract with Rheinmetall, the manufacturer of Skynex, in December 2022, with the promise that the first of the two defense systems included in the contract would arrive in Ukraine in early 2024.

What is Syknex?

Oerlikon Skynex is a mobile, modular anti-aircraft artillery system manufactured by Germany’s Rheinmetall. The system is particularly designed to wipe out drone swarms by firing 1,000 bullets a minute.

According to Rheinmetall, the Skynex system can defend against large tactical drones, air-to-ground missiles, mortars, and artillery rockets. The system consists of a 3D target-acquisition radar, which can identify aerial threats within a 50-kilometer range.

German defense firm Rheinmetall's Skynex air defense system — *^{German defense firm Rheinmetall’s Skynex air defense system Oerlikon Revolver Gun. (Image Credit: Rheinmetall/Angela Blattner)}*

The system is outfitted to accommodate four 35mm Mk3 revolver guns, capable of firing up to 1,000 rounds per minute. These revolver guns are equipped with tracking radars and infrared cameras, along with laser range finders, enabling precise targeting of even the smallest entities.

The system’s open and modular architecture allows the integration of diverse sensors and effectors, leading to a predominantly automated and exceptionally efficient system. It offers the flexibility of both central and decentralized operation and command, catering to a range of tactical and operational scenarios. Additionally, Skynex is characterized by its high mobility, ensuring it is swiftly deployable and ready for immediate action.