Germany to deliver more Skyranger 35 air defense systems to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets
Photo: Skyranger 35 air defense system (Getty Images)
The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall will supply Ukraine with additional Skyranger 35 air defense systems worth millions of euros. The funding will come from proceeds generated by frozen Russian assets, according to the Rheinmetall press service.
The production and configuration of the systems will be carried out by Rheinmetall’s branch in Rome.
"We are grateful for the trust Ukraine has placed in us," said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG.
The Skyranger 35 systems combine mobility, armor protection, and firepower, and their KDG 35/1000 turret can fire 1,000 rounds per minute.
Their effective engagement radius is 4,000 meters. In the future, the systems are planned to be equipped with guided missiles.
Additionally, the Skyranger 35 can be mounted on Leopard tanks, allowing it to protect an area of 16 square kilometers.
More about the Skyranger 35
The Skyranger 35 is a modern short-range air defense system developed by Rheinmetall. It is designed to destroy drones, helicopters, cruise missiles, and other aerial targets at low altitudes.
The core of the system is a 35 mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 automatic cannon capable of firing special AHEAD programmable ammunition. These shells create a cloud of metal fragments in front of the target, ensuring its destruction even at high speeds.
The Skyranger 35 system can be mounted on various platforms — from armored vehicles to trucks — making it mobile and effective on the modern battlefield.
The complex is equipped with radar and an electro-optical observation system and can operate autonomously or be integrated into a broader air defense network.
Due to its high accuracy, rapid response, and versatility, the Skyranger 35 is considered one of the most effective means of protecting troops and critical infrastructure from drones and air attacks.
What is known about the Skyranger 35
It should be recalled that the German defense company Rheinmetall held the Skyranger System Demonstration 2024 event last year.
During the event, a self-propelled anti-aircraft system based on the Leopard 1 tank was demonstrated, equipped with a Skyranger 35 installation with a 35 mm caliber.
Rheinmetall had already planned to deliver Skyranger air defense systems to Ukraine back in September.
The company continues to expand. For example, it has planned to build an artillery shell production plant in Latvia.
The project is expected to launch in the spring of 2026.
