As russia intensifies its use of long-range kamikaze drones, the need for Ukraine to urgently acquire additional air defense systems has become more critical than ever, especially in light of Western media forecasts suggesting russia could soon launch 500 or even 1,000 long-range drones per day.
In this context, Polish defense outlet Defence24 has brought attention back to an important topic that hasn't been widely discussed in Ukrainian media for months: the potential delivery of new Skyranger 35 air defense tanks mounted on Leopard 1 chassis, capable of shooting down UAVs at ranges of up to 4 kilometers.
Read more: Rheinmetall Unveils Skyranger 35 Anti-Aircraft System on Leopard 1 Chassis, Proposes 10 Units for Ukraine
It’s worth recalling that the first and so far only public unveiling of the Skyranger 35 on a Leopard 1 platform took place in September 2024. Although the demonstration had some teething problems, Rheinmetall successfully showcased the system’s key capabilities.
The choice of the Leopard 1 chassis served a dual purpose: to demonstrate the flexibility of the Skyranger 35 system for integration with a wide range of platforms, and to signal the potential for delivering such self-propelled anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine.
Rheinmetall representatives at the time expressed expectations that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could receive a minimum of 10 such vehicles.
The prototype of the Skyranger 35 air defense tank was built on the chassis of a Leopard 1A5BE tank, one of several acquired from Belgium. The turret housing the 35 mm autocannon is unmanned, with a total ammunition load of 252 rounds. The crew consists of two members: a commander and a gunner, seated in the front of the hull.
It is important to note that since the September 2024 unveiling, there have been no further public updates regarding the Skyranger 35 on the Leopard 1 platform. The only reference point remains Rheinmetall’s stated readiness to supply such systems to Ukraine, should an official order be placed.
This system offers engagement capabilities comparable to those of the German Gepard, particularly in terms of its effective range against aerial targets. The key value here lies in numbers — the ability to field additional “anti-aircraft tanks” capable of countering Shahed drones.
At present, however, the potential delivery of Skyranger 35 systems on Leopard 1 chassis remains purely theoretical. Nonetheless, if Rheinmetall outlines a renewed or expanded initiative in this direction, it would be a clear and positive signal.
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