Italy purchases four Skynex 35mm air defense systems to counter low-altitude and short-range threats.

As reported by A-129 Mangusta on January 7, 2025, Italy signed a contract with Rheinmetall Italia to purchase four Skynex air defense systems in a Counter Rockets, Artillery, and Mortars (C-RAM) static configuration. General Carmine Masiello’s earlier visit to Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A. headquarters in Rome on December 17, 2024, confirmed the intention to equip Italian forces with these systems, aligning with details in the Multi-Year Programming Document 2024–2026.
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A complete Skynex system comprises four Revolver Gun Mk3 35mm cannons, each capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute with a range of up to 4 kilometers. It utilizes programmable 35mm Ahead ammunition, which is resistant to electronic countermeasures, ensuring precise target engagement. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Within this document, €400 million are forecasted for the overall requirement, with €80 million spread over four years currently financed by the defense budget. The plan includes the systems, their ten-year integrated logistics support, ammunition, trucks, communication and information systems, and infrastructure adaptations. The aim is to counter rockets, artillery, mortars, unmanned aircraft systems, and loitering munitions, thereby providing very short-range protection for personnel and critical infrastructure in Italy and for contingents deployed abroad. These four C-RAM systems fulfill commitments made to the Alliance and are described in the Defense Planning Document (DPP) as Skynex, a Rheinmetall-produced system that integrates separate airspace surveillance components and effectors, accommodates radar technologies from multiple manufacturers, and employs programmable 35 mm Ahead ammunition resistant to electronic countermeasures.

This new capability is expected to deter threats posed by rockets, artillery, and mortars, as well as drones and loitering munitions, especially for contingents deployed in operational theaters. Reports indicate that Italy’s short-range air defense program (GRIFO), managed by the Italian Army and already involving the CAMM-ER missile, may integrate the Skynex 35 mm system to address low-altitude and short-range threats. In May 2024, MBDA announced tests of the CAMM-ER missile with the GRIFO system’s Command Post and Engagement Module, confirming its capability against a simulated enemy aircraft attack. Combining multiple solutions ensures that aerial targets of varying ranges and altitudes can be addressed, strengthening national defense sovereignty and industrial partnerships.

This purchase also aims to secure technological expertise within Italy’s domestic defense sector, as the Skynex system is manufactured in Rome’s Tiburtina Valley. Several Italian publications have reported on Skynex production for Ukraine. Originally developed in Switzerland by Oerlikon, Skynex is now built at Rheinmetall Italia, circumventing Swiss restrictions on direct exports of completed war materials while adhering to regulations permitting the transfer of technological know-how. This approach facilitated deployment to Ukraine under a contract financed by the German government. By the end of 2023, two Skynex systems, financed by the German government and valued at 183 million Swiss francs, were delivered to Ukrainian forces. Germany subsequently placed orders for three more units, bringing the total value to around 500 million euros. Some systems even arrived ahead of schedule via the Polish logistics hub in Rzeszow.

Following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, Rheinmetall announced shorter delivery times for Skynex due to investments in personnel and infrastructure, reducing the timeline from two years to approximately one year. Rheinmetall Italia invested €100 million in 2023 and an additional €20 million in 2024 to expedite production and address increased demand. Personnel numbers are expected to grow from 450 to about 550 by early 2025, and the supplier roster expanded from 467 in 2022 to 762 in 2024.

Italy’s short-range air defense program (GRIFO), managed by the Italian Army and already involving the CAMM-ER missile, may integrate the Skynex 35 mm system to address low-altitude and short-range threats. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Italy’s decision to invest in four systems follows NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s visit to Rheinmetall Italia’s Rome headquarters on November 5, 2024. This visit coincided with his meetings with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and focused on reviewing new air defense technologies, such as Skynex, which Germany financed and donated to Ukraine. Rheinmetall AG is also collaborating with Leonardo to produce the Panther tank and Lynx tracked vehicle for the Italian Army, a partnership valued at over €23 billion over fifteen years. This cooperation aims to develop new heavy tanks, known as Main Battle Tanks, and address future European requirements under the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) program. The Rome plant now plays a pivotal role in Rheinmetall’s global operations, overseeing major radar and cannon production. The company’s turnover in Italy exceeds one billion euros, with six plants nationwide.

The Skynex air defense system includes several modular components designed for short-range and very short-range operations. It features four Revolver Gun Mk3 cannons, each capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute with a range of up to 4 kilometers. The system utilizes programmable 35 mm Ahead ammunition, resistant to electronic countermeasures, for precise target engagement. Its CN-1 command module enables centralized control, while the X-TAR3D X-band radar ensures 360-degree target acquisition, classification, and tracking. Mobility is supported by HX trucks, and the modular design allows the integration of additional sensors and effectors, such as the SkyKnight missile, which extends the engagement range to 10 kilometers. The distributed component design reduces the risk of significant damage from single strikes.

The Skynex system can address various aerial threats, including rockets, artillery, mortars (RAM), NATO-class I drones, and loitering munitions. Its radar provides continuous 360-degree coverage, enabling tracking and classification in diverse environmental and electronic conditions. The programmable 35 mm ammunition creates a dense projectile pattern, ensuring an effective engagement of small, fast-moving targets. Rheinmetall Italia cited the success of Germany’s Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun in Ukraine as validation of cannon-based short-range defense systems. The company emphasizes the lower cost of 35 mm munitions compared to missiles and the rounds’ resistance to electronic interference. The modular architecture supports adaptability to mission-specific needs, allowing the integration of effectors like high-energy lasers or missiles to counter saturation attacks. These features make Skynex suitable for protecting critical infrastructure and deployed forces, enabling a robust response to evolving threats.