German defense giant Rheinmetall has announced impressive production capabilities for its Skyranger air defense systems, the mobile variant of Skynex, which uses programmable ammunition.
According to Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger in an interview with the Financial Times, production capacity allows for up to 200 Skyranger systems per year, with plans to expand further. This is a significant number, suggesting the possibility of mass deliveries and meeting demand in the foreseeable future.
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However, Defense Express notes that achieving these numbers would require a major leap. As of autumn 2024, the delivery of the first 19 Skyranger 30 systems for the Bundeswehr, originally planned for 2027, was delayed by 18 monthsdue to production issues with the Boxer wheeled armored vehicles and integration of Skyranger modules.
Meanwhile, Austria's contract for 36 Skyranger 30 systems on Pandur EVO 6x6, signed in early 2024, will be fulfilled starting in 2026. Denmark's 16 units on Piranha 5 chassis will see 4 delivered by 2026 and the remaining 12 by 2028. A more recent contract with the Netherlands for 22 Skyranger systems on ACSV G5 chassis, signed in February 2025, plans deliveries starting in 2028.
Other options include mounting on Leopard 1 and Lynx vehicles. The Lynx variant was recently demonstrated and could be of interest to Ukraine in Rheinmetall's plans to supply Lynx infantry fighting vehicles. The Skynex variant, a standalone combat module transportable by truck, was ordered by Italy in early 2025. One system, comprising several combat modules and radar, is scheduled for delivery in Q2 2026, with three more optional units available no earlier than 2027.
While these details relate more to production cycles than annual output, the Bundeswehr plans to acquire up to 600 Skyranger systems on Boxer chassis within its rearmament program by the mid-2030s, roughly over 10 years, depending on budget allocation and unit deployment schedules.
The 200-per-year figure likely assumes full utilization of Rheinmetall's production capacity across three shifts, representing available production that could be allocated.
Armin Papperger also recently announced a major Skyranger order for Ukraineworth several hundred million euros, expected to be signed at the DSEI defense exhibition in London, on Friday, September 12. No official or insider confirmation has been released yet.
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