Skynex

Skynex platform in use in Ukraine

The Skynex is a point-defence system developed by Rheinmetall Air Defence AG (formerly Oerlikon). It has C-RAM and C-UAS capabilities.

The Skynex is an evolution of the Skyshield system, with the main differences being network centrism, an open network architecture, designed to use a range of weapons, and a faster addition of new effectors to the system in comparison to the older versions of it.

Among the effectors that are used with the system are:

From the beginning of the creation of the system, Rheinmetall Air Defence planned to add future effectors, such as air defence missiles and air defence lasers.

The system is also able to link with older Skyshield and Skyguard air defence systems.

Equipment

The Skynex system is based on:

Operators

Current operators

Italy (4)
4 Skynex in a static configuration were ordered in January 2025 to Rheinmetall Italia (1 firm order + 3 in option).
Deliveries:
  • the first system delivered in December 2025.
Qatar
In October 2022, the Qatar Emiri Air Defence Forces revealed they had procured the Skynex, a modular air defense architecture centered around the Skymaster battle management system that can link components of the Skyshield. Rheinmetall is believed to have received a contract in October 2019 worth around €210 million (US$204 million) for an unspecified number of Skymasters, radars, and guns including AHEAD programmable air-bursting ammunition that is effective against small targets out to a range of 4 km.
A video released by the Qatari Ministry of Defence showed eight 35 mm Revolver Gun Mk3s and one X-TAR3D target acquisition and tracking radar.
Ukraine (2)
In December 2022, a German government spokesman said that Rheinmetall would provide two Skynex systems to Ukraine as part of assistance during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Valued at approximately €182 million ($192 million), Germany would pay for the cost involved. The Skynex air defense system is based on a concept that keeps airspace surveillance separate from the effectors, only requiring a tracking unit to link a C2 network with different weapons. Each Skynex system comprises four Revolver Gun Mk3 cannons, a CN-1 control node, and an X-TAR3D radar all mounted on HX trucks.
Deliveries:
  • the delivery of the first was announced in January 2024
  • the second Skynex system was delivered by Germany in April 2025

Future operators

Romania (7)
Romania ordered 7 Skynex systems to Rheinmetall Italia SpA in May 2026, the contract is part of a common order with 24 Skyranger 35, and 2 Millenium systems.
Each fire unit is equipped with:
  • 6 Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 (total 42)
  • CN-1 control node
  • Upper echelon command point
Unknown customer (4)
In July 2026, Rheinmetall announced the sale of 4 systems to an international customer.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Skynex – Networked air defence". www.rheinmetall.com. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  2. 1 2 3 "OERLIKON SKYNEX® AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 August 2025.
  3. ↑ ES&T Redaktion (2026-08-19). "Rheinmetalls Skynex Luftverteidigung erhält neue Fähigkeiten" (in German). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  4. ↑ "Südkoreanische LIG und Rheinmetall wollen neuen Flugkörper in Luftverteidigungssystem Skynex integrieren" (in German). 2026-06-19. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  5. ↑ Giansiracusa, Aurelio (2025-01-07). "Firmati i contratti italiani per HIMARS e C-RAM". Ares Osservatorio Difesa (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  6. ↑ "NNbS: Germany's SHORAD Rebuild Is Delivering — Except at the Bottom". Großwald | European Defence Intelligence. 2026-03-23. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  7. ↑ "Italian army receives Skynex weapon system". Defence Blog – Military and Defense News. 2025-12-23. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  8. ↑ "Qatar unveils Skynex air defence". Janes Information Services. 14 October 2022. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022.
  9. ↑ Ukraine received Skynex air defense systems. Ukrainian Military Center. 26 April 2023.
  10. ↑ Ukraine has already received Rheinmetall Skynex short-range air defense systems. Mezha.Media. 27 April 2023.
  11. ↑ Germany sends Skynex air defense system, other military aid to Ukraine. Kyiv Independent. 4 January 2024.
  12. ↑ Germany Delivers First Skynex Air Defense System to Ukraine. Army Recognition. 4 January 2024.
  13. ↑ Germany announced new military aid to Ukraine. Euromaidan Press. 4 January 2024.
  14. ↑ York, Chris (April 30, 2024). "Skynex: The German drone destroyer reinforcing Ukraine's air defense". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  15. ↑ "24 Flugabwehrsysteme Skyranger 35 für Rumänien bestellt". soldat-und-technik.de (in German). 2026-06-24. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  16. ↑ "Rumänien beschafft Schützenpanzer und Flugabwehrsysteme von Rheinmetall für fast 5 Milliarden Euro" (in German). 2026-05-30. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  17. ↑ Mediaș 120 „Business Partner Day”, eveniment organizat de Rheinmetall Automecanica novatv.ro (video) (in Romanian). Nova Tv Mediaș. 21 July 2026. Event occurs at 19:54, 20:00, 20:06 – via YouTube.
  18. ↑ "Rheinmetall gewinnt neuen internationalen Kunden für das Flugabwehrsystem Skynex" (in German). 2026-07-02. Retrieved 2026-07-03.