The German Skynex air defense system in Ukraine has proven its ability to shoot down not only russian drones such as the Shahed and Gerbera, but also cruise missiles such as the Kh-101 and Kalibr. This confirms the versatility of the system.
The information was announced by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger during a conference on the company's third-quarter 2025 results. While it may sound like a marketing statement, operational experience with comparable air defense systems indicates that such performance is realistic.
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Officially, the Armed Forces of Ukraine currently have two Skynex air defense systems, with two more expected to arrive by the end of 2025. According to the German Aid to Ukraine observer, this may indicate that another system has already been delivered.
From Defense Express we would like to note that there is nothing surprising about shooting down subsonic cruise missiles with anti-aircraft artillery systems. This represents a standard operating mode for such systems, integrating radar, fire control, and ammunition.
For instance, older German Gepard air defense systems from the Cold War era have shot down russian Kh-101 missiles over Ukraine, as seen in the video above. So, it is no surprise that modern equivalents are capable of doing the same.
Compared to traditional anti-aircraft missile systems, anti-aircraft artillery systems are much cheaper to use and have a larger ammunition load. However, the production of specialized ammunition for these systems remains expensive, although costs are falling as mass production increases.
Currently, Ukraine has only a few Skynex systems, but self-propelled Skyranger 35 systems worth hundreds of millions of euros have been ordered, with deliveries scheduled to begin this year. Therefore, more air defense systems will be deployed to defend Ukrainian sky in the future.
Among budget-friendly yet effective air defense systems, they will complement the American Vampire missile systems, which have also proven capable of shooting down the modern russian Kh-69 stealth cruise missile. Overall, this is a positive development for the previously somewhat neglected niche of short-range air defense.
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