Rheinmetall has marked a significant milestone by delivering the first Boxer Skyranger 30 cannon-based air defense vehicle to the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces. This vehicle, classified as a verification model, will serve a crucial role in training and testing exercises over the upcoming months. Last year, Germany placed an order not only for this verification model but also for an additional 18 Skyranger vehicles to be manufactured in serial production. The delivery of these vehicles is scheduled to occur between 2027 and 2028, highlighting a long-term commitment to enhancing the country’s air defense capabilities.
The Skyranger 30 system is designed to effectively counter a range of aerial threats at both close and very close ranges. It supports versatile operational modes, permitting both autonomous and networked engagements. The vehicle features an 8×8 Boxer tactical chassis, which is complemented by a turret that integrates a 30mm x 173 KCE revolver cannon and ground-to-air guided missiles. One of the standout features of this system is its use of AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction) ammunition, which is equipped with programmable airburst detonation—a technology that enhances its effectiveness against drones and other aerial threats.
The demand for the Skyranger 30 system appears to be growing within NATO and EU member states. Recently, the Netherlands revealed plans to procure 22 units, allocating a substantial budget of 1.3 billion euros (approximately 1.35 billion dollars) for the acquisition. These vehicles will be outfitted with surface-to-air missiles and the rapid-fire 30-millimeter cannon, designed to deliver fire rates of up to 1,250 rounds per minute, significantly boosting the ability to engage unmanned aerial vehicles as well as aircraft and helicopters.
Further expanding its footprint in the air defense market, Hungary finalized a contract valued at 30 million euros (around 32.9 million dollars) in December 2023 with Rheinmetall to develop the Skyranger 30 turret specifically for the future air defense variant of the Lynx KF41 tracked vehicle. Austria and Denmark have also joined the ranks of nations investing in the system for various platforms, indicating a broader trend of increasing interest in advanced air defense solutions within Europe.
As global security dynamics continue to evolve, the capabilities offered by the Skyranger 30 system are likely to play a vital role in modernizing and strengthening the air defense frameworks of multiple nations.
