The Bundeswehr is introducing the Skyranger 30, a new anti-aircraft tank based on the GTK Boxer, designed to replace the discontinued Gepard model. Equipped with a 30 mm cannon and Stinger missiles, it’s set to begin testing in January 2025. Recent demonstrations showcased its ability to destroy drones and land targets. Though its wheeled design poses limitations in rugged terrain, Rheinmetall is developing variations like the Skyranger 35 on Leopard chassis to enhance off-road capabilities and air defense.
The Bundeswehr is set to introduce a new anti-aircraft vehicle, the Skyranger 30, which will replace the Gepard anti-aircraft gun tank that was phased out in 2010.
Skyranger 30: A Wheeled Anti-Aircraft Solution
Built on the GTK Boxer chassis, the Skyranger 30 features a four-axle design and is armed with a powerful 30 mm Oerlikon KCE-ABM revolver cannon capable of firing 1,250 rounds per minute. It supports a crew of three: a driver, a commander, and a gunner. Additionally, it can deploy Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, enhancing its effectiveness. Currently, the Bundeswehr is planning to acquire 19 units, which includes 18 operational vehicles and a test model.
Demonstrating Impactful Firepower
Recently, Rheinmetall showcased the Skyranger 30 in action, successfully targeting an approaching drone as well as two ground-based threats. The drone was eliminated using air-burst ammunition, creating a lethal shower of fragments. Experts note that this type of ammunition can disperse a cloud of sub-projectiles, ranging from 150 to 500, made of tungsten. The goal is for the Skyranger 30 to effectively neutralize up to 30 aerial drones during operation.
The prototype displayed will soon be delivered to the Bundeswehr for testing, expected to commence in January 2025, with the first production units slated for delivery by early 2026. This deployment aims to reinstate the army’s air defense capabilities that were previously abandoned in 2012.
Mobility Challenges for Ground Support
The Skyranger 30, equipped with eight wheels, is designed to accompany and protect ground troops along with combat vehicles from aerial threats such as helicopters and fighter jets. It is well-suited for the Bundeswehr’s medium forces, which primarily utilize wheeled vehicles. However, it faces limitations when required to support tracked vehicles like the Marder or Puma infantry fighting vehicles and the Leopard 2 main battle tank, which possess superior off-road capability. This could hinder the Skyranger 30’s ability to offer effective protection in rugged terrain.
Introducing the Skyranger 35
To address these challenges, Rheinmetall has proposed the Skyranger 35, designed on the Leopard 1 chassis, significantly enhancing off-road mobility. This tracked vehicle can closely follow the Leopard 2, Puma, and Marder through rough environments. The Skyranger 35 turret, weighing approximately four tons and featuring a 35 mm cannon, utilizes cutting-edge sensor technology for target acquisition, especially effective against drones.
Capabilities and Innovations
The advanced 35-mm Oerlikon KDG revolver cannon can engage targets at distances of up to four kilometers, utilizing air burst ammunition designed to disrupt drone swarms and damage enemy tank optics. Although the turret is unmanned, Rheinmetall has reconfigured the Leopard 1 hull to accommodate the commander and gunner alongside the driver for efficient operation.
There have already been successful live demonstrations of the Skyranger 35, although Rheinmetall has not yet secured any customers for this model.
Potential Variants for Enhanced Versatility
Rheinmetall is also exploring the integration of the Skyranger 35 onto other platforms, including the Leopard 2 chassis, although no live demonstrations of this variant have taken place yet. Furthermore, studies indicate the possibility of mounting the Skyranger 30 turret on the Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle or the Austrian Pandur Evo chassis. Additionally, Rheinmetall is considering an anti-aircraft missile tank based on the Boxer chassis, potentially featuring four launchers for Iris-T SLS missiles, harking back to the capabilities of the previously decommissioned Roland system.
Reviving Air Defense Needs
The decommissioning of the Gepard anti-aircraft tanks was seen as justifiable until recent geopolitical developments highlighted the necessity for effective air defense systems. The conflict in Ukraine underscored the demand for solutions against low-flying threats, particularly drones. As a result, the German military is once again recognizing the need for robust cannon-based air defense to counter aerial attacks. The Skyranger 30 aims to fill this critical gap, demonstrating the evolving landscape of modern military requirements.