Germany confirms delivery of one additional Skynex air defence system to Ukraine.

Germany announced on April 29, 2024, that it increased its military support to Ukraine by delivering a wide range of defense equipment, including an additional Skynex air defense system, following a previous delivery. This system provides relevant protection to Ukraine, particularly in countering drone saturation attacks and swarm attacks. The German aid comes at a time when Ukraine continues to face challenges in its war against Russia.
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The Skynex system features a diverse arsenal, including the high-performance Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3, the Oerlikon Twin Gun GDF009 TREO, surface-to-air missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

At the core of this delivery is the Skynex, a next-generation air defense system designed to offer optimal protection against a variety of airborne threats. Developed by Rheinmetall, a German armaments manufacturer, Skynex can engage targets with remarkable precision thanks to its advanced technologies. The system utilizes advanced radars and specially designed ammunition to intercept targets ranging from drones to cruise missiles. It represents a revolutionary solution for short-range air defense, equipped with an open and modular architecture that sets new standards for flexibility and scalability.

At the heart of this system is the Oerlikon Skymaster Battle Management System, serving as the central control node. This system allows seamless integration of various sensors and effectors, enabling customization to meet specific mission requirements. Medium-range radars, such as the Qerlikon X-TAR3D Tactical Acquisition Radar, provide crucial airborne surveillance data, which is consolidated within the Skymaster network for efficient target assignment to autonomous effectors.

The Skynex system features a diverse arsenal, including the high-performance Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3, the Oerlikon Twin Gun GDF009 TREO, surface-to-air missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities. This versatile mix of weapons forms a multi-layered defense shield against a wide range of airborne threats, ensuring robust protection against saturation and swarm attacks.

Key features of the Skynex system include its open and modular architecture, which allows for easy integration of sensors and effectors from different manufacturers. Its ability to integrate existing Oerlikon Skyguard and Oerlikon Skyshield fire units, as well as other existing systems, enhances interoperability and adaptability. The system's effectiveness is further enhanced by the Oerlikon X-TAR3D Tactical Acquisition Radar, a three-dimensional radar designed to detect and track a wide range of airborne threats. Oerlikon's multi-sensor unit (MSU) further enhances this capability with its remote-controlled, rapidly deployable sensor unit featuring AESA 3D search radars.

Additionally, the integration of next-generation effectors, such as high-energy lasers, provides the system with increased scalability and lethality. The Oerlikon Skynex - SkyKnight missile launcher, armed with HALCON SkyKnight C-RAM / C-PGM missiles, complements cannon-based systems for effective counter-saturation attacks.

In terms of technical specifications, the Oerlikon X-TAR3D Tactical Acquisition Radar features a modular design suitable for both land-based and naval applications. It utilizes fully coherent phased-array pulse-Doppler radar technology with 16 simultaneously receiving stacked beams and digital beamforming, offering instrumented ranges of 25, 35, and 50 km.

Germany itself has several Skynex units, underscoring the strategic importance of this system in its own national defense. Other countries have also shown interest in Skynex, although Germany is currently the main user of this technology.

The German government confirmed that this delivery is just the latest in a series of ongoing efforts to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Berlin has already announced plans for the delivery of a third Patriot air defense system, reaffirming its commitment to providing substantial support to Ukraine. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany has contributed approximately 10 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine until the end of February, making Germany the second-largest military donor after the United States.

This robust support is crucial as Ukraine continues to repel attacks, and the contribution of advanced defense systems like Skynex plays a vital role in these defense efforts. The ongoing collaboration between Germany and Ukraine demonstrates not only European solidarity but also the importance of modern defense technology in contemporary international security.

Defense News April 2024