Rheinmetall has handed over the first Boxer-mounted Skyranger 30 cannon-based air defence vehicle to the German Bundeswehr, marking a crucial step in the nation’s efforts to bolster its mobile air defence capabilities. The delivered system is a verification model, intended for use in the Bundeswehr’s rigorous approval process, and is a prototype of the systems that will follow. This delivery signals significant progress in the country’s air defence modernisation program, against a backdrop of growing threats from unmanned aerial vehicles and other airborne weapons.
The contract for the Skyranger 30, which includes the delivery of the verification model and 18 series production vehicles, was awarded in February 2024. The entire agreement is valued at €595 million, inclusive of VAT. The Skyranger 30 is a vital element of Germany’s NNbS short and very-short range air defence system, designed to tackle a range of threats at close and very close ranges. This system also forms an integral part of the wider European Sky Shield Initiative, where Germany is at the forefront of ground-based air defence in Europe within the NATO alliance.
The Skyranger 30 is engineered to bridge a critical gap in mobile air defence. It combines a high degree of mobility, protection, flexibility and precision, enabling it to contend with modern threats. The turret of the Skyranger 30 features a powerful 30mm x 173 KCE revolver gun, surface-to-air missiles, and a suite of advanced sensors. Initially, the German systems will be armed with Stinger missiles, but future plans include switching to a new drone defence missile. Furthermore, the system utilizes programmable airburst ammunition, which is particularly effective against unmanned aerial vehicles. The compact turret is mounted on an 8×8 Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle, providing a robust and adaptable platform. It is designed for both autonomous and networked operations.
The verification model was delivered on schedule at the end of January 2025. Bundeswehr personnel will now be trained on how to operate the vehicle, before the start of the admission trials in the spring of 2025. Serial delivery of the remaining 18 production vehicles is planned for 2027 and early 2028.
Several other NATO and EU member states have shown interest in the Skyranger 30, with some having already placed orders. Austria has ordered 36 systems. Hungary has commissioned Rheinmetall to develop a concept for integrating the Skyranger 30 turret onto the Lynx KF41 tracked vehicle. Lithuania is evaluating the Boxer-mounted Skyranger 30, whilst Denmark plans to procure the system on a different wheeled vehicle. The Netherlands recently announced that they will acquire 22 Skyranger 30 systems, with the contract expected to be finalized by the end of 2025.
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