Rheinmetall recently presented the Skyranger 35 onto a Leopard 1 battle tank chassis as part of a demonstration of various anti-aircraft systems.

Rheinmetall, officials according to the website hartpunkt.de, have announced that the 35 mm air defence system is being integrated into the Leopard 1 MBT chassis with a view to offering it to Ukraine. 

The hartpunkt.de site also reports that ten units are planned to be delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Skyranger 35 system consists of a single 35 mm Oerlikon 35/1000 gun capable of firing, among other things, airburst munitions AHEAD, providing an increased probability of target engagement compared to the existing Gepards, used by Ukraine, which use a twin 35 mm cannon. 

Also read: Rheinmetall | Supply of AHEAD ammunition for the Skynex air defence system

It is noted that the Skyranger was also officially presented at the EUROSATORY 2024 exhibition on a Leopard 2 battle tank, and a related presentation can be seen at the end of the article.

Also read: KNDS | Showcases full range of LEOPARD battle tanks at EUROSATORY

The German Army is also known to acquire soon the Skyranger 30 weapon system mounted on a Boxer chassis. 

The contract for the delivery of 18 Skyranger 30 systems plus a test model has already been signed with the manufacturer Rheinmetall.

The Skyranger was shown in two different configurations at Rheinmetall’s proving ground in Switzerland. In front of representatives of the armed forces and procurement authorities of 26 countries, Skyranger 30 shot down an incoming drone and two ground targets.

Also read: INTRACOM DEFENSE | WiSPRevo CIS for Skyranger 30

The 30 mm weapon system with a rapid firing rate of 1,250 rounds per minute is not only intended for firing against aerial threats but also for firing against armored vehicles. The impact, in particular, of the fragments of the AHEAD (tungsten) projectile on the battle tank’s optics can achieve a so-called “mission kill.” This means that the vehicle can no longer continue its mission but remains operationally active. In addition to these, as seen through audio-visual material in Ukraine, infantry fighting vehicles such as the US IFV Bradley have in some cases successfully projected and immobilized Russian battle tanks with superior armament.

The Skyranger 30 on display was reportedly the vehicle to be delivered to the German military as a test model prior to series delivery. The delivery is expected to take place next January, after which tests will follow.

Also read: Rheinmetall | Skyranger 30 based on Boxer IFV for the Bundeswehr

The German military is interested in equipping the Skyranger 30 with Stinger man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) as secondary equipment so that it can engage targets beyond the range of the 30 x 173 mm KCE gun. 

A decision will be made later on whether to equip it with another missile, particularly for defence against drones. It is noted that during the ILA air show this summer, Rheinmetall and MBDA Germany signed a letter of intent to integrate MBDA’s Small Anti-Drone Missile (SADM), designed for anti-drone defence, into the Skyranger 30. 

Apart from these, Germany’s Diehl Defense is also working on a concept for an anti-UAV weapon, known as the Micro Missile, which could be considered as a future secondary equipment for the Skyranger.

Also read: DIEHL Defense | The new mobile Air Defence system IRIS-T SLS Mk III unveiled at EUROSATORY 2022

Additionally, as part of the NNbS, a new Boxer chassis anti-aircraft missile armored vehicle is being developed to complement the Skyranger. The plan is to equip the vehicle with four swivel launchers for the Iris-T SLS missile. 

The reference radar for Skyranger is Hensoldt’s Spexer 2000 Mk3, which is intended for Germany, Hungary, Austria, and Denmark. The sensor has already proven that it is also capable of detecting targets on the move. Rheinmetall can however integrate other radar systems into the Skyranger if required by the customer. 

Also read: HENSOLDT | Contract to supply SPEXER radars for Skyranger 30 air defence systems

Watch the presentation made to the DEFENCE ReDEFiNED team at EUROSATORY for the Skyranger 35 system on a Leopard 2 battle tank in the following video.