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Rheinmetall’s Skynex Proves Deadly in Ukraine—Now Taking Down Russian Cruise Missiles

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
News Writer
Illustrative image. German-made Skynex air-defense system. (Source: Rheinmetall)
Illustrative image. German-made Skynex air-defense system. (Source: Rheinmetall)

German-made Skynex air-defense systems supplied to Ukraine have successfully intercepted not only Shahed drones but also Russian cruise missiles such as the Kh-101 and Kalibr, according to Defense Express on November 7.

The revelation came from Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger during the company’s third-quarter earnings briefing, where he said Skynex had “proven its ability to counter not just drones, but also cruise missiles” in Ukrainian service.

According to Defense Express, the statement—while partly promotional—is backed by battlefield evidence and consistent with the system’s technical design.

Rheinmetall’s Skynex system, already credited in Ukraine with shooting down Shahed and Geran-series drones, reportedly intercepted Russian Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, confirming its versatility in real combat, Defense Express noted.

Ukraine currently operates two Skynex batteries, with two more scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025.

However, defense analysts believe an additional unit may have arrived earlier than planned, according to information shared by the monitoring group German Aid to Ukraine.

As Defense Express explained, shooting down subsonic cruise missiles with gun-based air defense systems is not unusual—and well within their design parameters.

These engagements are enabled by advanced radar tracking, fire-control systems, and programmable ammunition.

Even older Gepard systems, first fielded during the Cold War, have been documented downing Russian Kh-101 missiles over Ukraine—a fact captured in verified footage.

Skynex, which builds on that legacy with modernized sensors and 35mm AHEAD munitions, can perform the same role with greater precision and range.

Compared with traditional missile-based air-defense systems, gun-based solutions like Skynex are far more cost-effective to operate and sustain. Each programmable shell costs a fraction of a surface-to-air missile, while a single system carries a much larger ammunition reserve.

That said, Defense Express pointed out that specialized 35mm programmable rounds remain expensive to mass-produce, though Rheinmetall’s ramp-up in manufacturing is helping bring down unit costs.

Ukraine has also ordered self-propelled Skyranger 35 systems worth several hundred million euros, with the first deliveries expected this year. These mobile platforms will expand short-range air-defense coverage for front-line and critical infrastructure protection.

The Skynex and Skyranger systems form part of Ukraine’s effort to build a layered, affordable air-defense network capable of countering mass drone and missile strikes.

They complement other short-range systems such as the US-supplied Vampire, which has also successfully intercepted advanced Russian Kh-69 stealth cruise missiles, according to Defense Express.

Analysts say this growing network of mixed, affordable interceptors fills a crucial gap in Ukraine’s defenses—one that lies between expensive long-range SAM systems and man-portable weapons.

Earlier, footage showed the Skynex air defense system downing a Russian Shahed drone during a mass attack on August 21. The video captures the system tracking and destroying the target within seconds.

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