HALCON, a regional leader in the production and supply of precision-guided weapons, unveils SkyKnight - the first UAE designed and manufactured counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) missile system, on display at the International Defence and Exhibition Conference (IDEX) 2021 taking place in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi 21 – 25 February.

HALCON’s SkyKnight was purposely designed to counter the full spectrum of modern threats, providing early warning signals and precise surface-to-air intercept capabilities targeting of rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rockets, artillery, mortar, and other fixed-wing aircraft at a range of up to 10Km  (Picture source: Army Recognition)

EDGE Group, parent company of HALCON, has been developing a short-range air defence system, as has Germany-based Rheinmetall AG, which was actively seeking a missile system to form part of its Skynex air defence system. The companies decided to jointly offer a solution, with HALCON providing SkyKnight, the missile system to the highly regarded Skynex, which sets new standards with its unique open architecture.

This collaboration represents the formation of an international partnership at the highest level and positions HALCON as an international original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

HALCON’s SkyKnight was purposely designed to counter the full spectrum of modern threats, providing early warning signals and precise surface-to-air intercept capabilities targeting of rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rockets, artillery, mortar, and other fixed-wing aircraft at a range of up to 10Km.

Commenting on this landmark international elevation of a UAE-manufactured missile, H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, EDGE Group CEO and Managing Director said: “The development of SkyKnight, the UAE’s first air defence missile by HALCON is a tremendous achievement in the nation’s aim to establish sovereign defence capabilities that address the ever-evolving threat landscape. We are pleased to team up with Rheinmetall, a leading player in the defence industry, for us to jointly offer the world’s most advance and comprehensive C-RAM solution leveraging our SkyKnight missile and Rheinmetall’s Skynex solution, and we shall look to continue to build on this collaboration further.”

The air defence system comprises Rheinmetall’s Skynex central control node, multi-sensor units (MSU), active electronically scanned array (AESA), and multi-mode radars, complimented by HALCON’s SkyKnight C-RAM missiles and missile launchers, each of which has a capacity of 60 missiles.

HALCON’s C-RAM missile is capable of tracking and neutralising numerous, multi-directional incoming targets at one time, providing protection for static assets, as well as for mobile and mechanised forces. Transportable and mobile, the system can be deployed statically for long periods of time and then relocated, or permanently installed in a single location.

Rheinmetall AG, through its Swiss subsidiary, Rheinmetall Air Defence, has deployed the Skyguard system in numerous countries, which can bring down fast, small targets, and is used as the inner tier of layered air defence of vital points and critical military infrastructure. Countries that have rolled out Skyguard systems will ultimately upgrade to Skynex, placing HALCON, its SkyKnight C-RAM missile system, and the UAE at the forefront of air defence system innovation.

HALCON is part of the Missiles & Weapons cluster within EDGE, an advanced technology group for defence that ranks among the top 25 military suppliers in the world.