German Skynex air defense systems began to protect Ukrainian skies

German Skynex anti-aircraft artillery systems have come to defend Ukrainian skies.

Footage of this system was released in an official video dedicated to the Day of the Air Force of Ukraine.

The system was developed by German Rheinmetall Air Defense and is in service with the Air Force of Ukraine.

The system’s main task is point defense. Since the guns are not self-propelled, they are used to protect airfields, critical infrastructure, etc.

The Skynex system battery consists of four 35mm guns, a command post, and a radar that performs primary target detection and gun guidance.

It should be noted that the guns also have their own radar station, which is combined with an optical system.

They are primarily used to capture airborne targets, and the use of the optical system ensures high accuracy against small targets.

In 2022, Rheinmetall announced that it would produce two Skynex batteries for an unnamed European country and requested funding from the German Federal Government for these systems.

Later, anonymous government sources reported to Handelsblatt that Ukraine would receive the two batteries of new air defense systems worth €182 million.

The direct transfer of the systems was included in the military aid package from the German government, which Ukraine received in early 2024.

It should be noted that in addition to Ukraine, another European country, currently undisclosed by the company, is also interested in the Skynex system.

In addition, Rheinmetall has also classified the country that has placed an order for hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition for the 35mm Oerlikon Mk3 guns used by the system.