Skynex

Germany’s modular, gun-based short-range air defence system — built around the 35 mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 and the Skymaster battle-management C2, designed to defeat drone swarms, loitering munitions and cruise missiles with cost-effective AHEAD airburst ammunition.

Overview

Skynex is the latest short-range/very-short-range air defence (SHORAD/VSHORAD) family from Rheinmetall Air Defence, drawing on the Oerlikon 35 mm lineage. It provides point protection for critical infrastructure, airfields and key nodes against the mass-drone and saturation-attack threats that have defined the war in Ukraine. The system separates airspace surveillance from effectors, letting autonomous 35 mm revolver guns — optionally supplemented by twin-gun mounts and mini-missiles — engage targets with programmable AHEAD airburst rounds that are immune to electronic warfare. Four German-financed batteries have been fighting in Ukraine since early 2024, and Italy became the first NATO operator in late 2025.

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