Germany has taken a significant step to strengthen its air defence capabilities by commissioning the development of a new short-range air defence system (SHORAD). 

The decision, prompted by defence gaps highlighted by the conflict in Ukraine, involves an investment of approximately EUR 1.3 billion. This system aims to replace the country’s long-retired Gepard anti-aircraft systems and other equipment.

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The budget committee of the Bundestag approved the project last Thursday, entrusting a consortium of Rheinmetall, Diehl Defence, and Hensoldt with the development of the new system. The contract between the German defence procurement agency and the industry is expected to be signed soon.

The SHORAD system will be designed to protect troops at a tactical level from missile and drone attacks as well as low-flying aircraft, particularly during deployment operations or while in transit. The system will focus on threats from both short ranges (starting from three kilometers) and very short ranges, mainly from small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones).

Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 30, a 30mm cannon mounted on the wheeled Boxer vehicle, is likely to be the basis for the very short-range system. For targets beyond three kilometers, Diehl’s IRIS-T SLS system will be employed.

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Germany had previously relied on the Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft system for mobile very short-range air defence up to three kilometers, a system that was retired in 2010 to cut costs but has since gained prominence in the Ukraine conflict.

A critical aspect of the project is integrating the new system with Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defences, which Berlin has already ordered to create a multi-layered defence umbrella. Hensoldt will provide the radars for the system which is expected to be operational by 2028.

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