Takes the StageNext-Gen Mobile Air Defense Against Drones and Loitering Munitions
At the LandEuro 2025 exhibition, Germany-based defense giant Rheinmetall unveiled its latest mobile air defense system, the Skyranger 30 — designed in response to the growing threats on modern battlefields. Equipped with a 30mm cannon, surface-to-air missiles, and advanced sensors, this hybrid turret was engineered with a modular structure to integrate seamlessly onto both wheeled and tracked armored vehicles.
The Skyranger 30 is tailored to counter cost-effective, agile threats such as FPV drones and loitering munitions — systems that have become prominent in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As small UAVs gain popularity for both reconnaissance and attack roles, NATO and EU member states are shifting their tactical air defense strategies. Rheinmetall’s solution delivers rapid, high-precision defense at low altitudes, optimized for mobile warfare.
Armed with a 30mm x 173 KCE cannon firing AHEAD airburst ammunition, the system creates a lethal cloud of fragments by detonating near its targets — neutralizing drones with precision. The weapon’s effectiveness against small, evasive aerial threats ensures a high probability of kill. In addition, the turret incorporates Stinger missiles, with future plans pointing toward specialized anti-drone missile integrations.
Thanks to its modularity, the Skyranger 30 can be mounted on various armored platforms, allowing for flexible deployment and wide-ranging mission compatibility. Its high-elevation engagement range offers significant protection for convoys, tactical units, and critical infrastructure.
Rapidly adopted under the European Sky Shield Initiative, the system is gaining traction among NATO and EU nations. Hungary has signed an agreement to integrate the system onto its Lynx KF41 platform, while Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands have also placed orders.
Positioned as a vital component in Europe’s short-range air defense architecture, the Skyranger 30 ushers in a new era of continental defense. With its modular design, advanced sensors, hybrid weapon suite, and specialized counter-drone munitions, Rheinmetall’s latest system represents a cutting-edge response to evolving aerial threats.
