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Drone-Killer on Tracks: Germany Sends First Skyranger 35 to Ukraine
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The first Skyranger 35 self-propelled air defense system mounted on a Leopard 1 tank chassis is set to arrive in Ukraine next week, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger announced during the Rheinmetall CMD 2025 event, according to monitoring project German Aid to Ukraine on November 18.
The system is being manufactured and integrated by Rheinmetall Italia SpA in Italy.
As part of Rheinmetall's CMD 2025 presentation, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has just announced that the first Skyranger 35 SPAAG mounted on the Leopard 1 chassis will be delivered to #Ukraine as early as next week.
— German Aid to Ukraine (@deaidua) November 18, 2025
As known since the 9th of September, Rheinmetall will… pic.twitter.com/hXFRBT5WkQ
Back in September, Rheinmetall confirmed it would supply Ukraine with Skyranger systems under a contract worth several hundred million euros. The deal is funded by an unnamed European Union country using windfall profits from frozen Russian assets.
The exact number and variant of Skyranger systems destined for Ukraine have not been publicly disclosed.
Each Skyranger 35 system can secure a 4-by-4-kilometer area, creating what the manufacturer describes as a fully “drone-free” zone.
The system is equipped with the GDM-008 combat module, which features a 35mm automatic cannon capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute. The ammo load includes programmable airburst shells and others, with a total capacity of 252 rounds per vehicle.
To detect small aerial targets, the Skyranger employs a multifunction AMMR radar operating in the S-band. It uses five antennas to provide full 360-degree coverage.
The system also includes Rheinmetall’s passive detection suite, known as FIRST, which enhances the ability to identify and track small drones.
⚡️🇩🇪Rheinmetall demonstrated the Skyranger 35 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun on the Leopard 1 chassis. pic.twitter.com/77S4wL6VnS
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) September 18, 2024
One of the Skyranger’s main missions in today’s battlefield is intercepting reconnaissance and attack drones, using advanced 35mm programmable munitions. According to the manufacturer, it can engage targets at ranges up to 4,000 meters and can also fire on ground threats when necessary.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Ukraine would be the first country to receive the newest generation of the SAMP/T air defense system, which is still under development.
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-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
