Rheinmetall will deliver additional Skyranger 35 air defense systems mounted on Leopard 1 chassis to Ukraine under a new contract valued in the "three-digit million euro range". The deal is financed by an EU member state using proceeds from frozen Russian assets. Production and integration will be carried out by Rheinmetall Italia SpA at its facilities in Rome.
“We are grateful for the trust that Ukraine has placed in us,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “We would also like to thank the EU country, for the support, which underlines our continued efforts to support Ukraine.”
The Leopard 1-based Skyranger 35 combines the mobility and protection of a tracked platform with the precision of a cannon-based air defense system. It features a 35mm KDG 35/1000 revolver cannon capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute, with an effective range of up to 4,000 metres. The system shares a high level of commonality with the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk 3 and employs AHEAD airburst technology. Rheinmetall also plans to integrate guided missiles into future configurations of the system.