Profile
- Type
- Networked short-range air defense system
- Conflict side
- Ukraine
- Origin
- Switzerland / Germany
- Service note
- 2020s short-range and counter-UAS air defense system
Air Defense
Skynex
Skynex is Rheinmetall Air Defence's modular short-range air defense architecture built around the Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system, networked sensors such as X-TAR3D, and autonomous effectors including 35 mm Revolver Gun Mk3 fire units with AHEAD air-burst ammunition. In Ukrainian service during the Russia-Ukraine War, the system fills a point-defense role against drones, cruise missiles, and other low-altitude threats around critical infrastructure.
- Conflict side
- Ukraine
- Built by
- Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
- Built in
- SwitzerlandGermany
Service History
- In service
- Delivered to Ukraine from 2024; reported in Ukrainian wartime service by 2025.
- Used by
- Ukrainian Armed Forces
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War
Production History
- Designer
- Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
- Designed
- 2020s
- Built by
- Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
- Built in
- SwitzerlandGermany
- Produced
- 2020s-present
- Variants
- Oerlikon Skynex with Revolver Gun Mk3 fire units
Specifications
- System architecture
- Open modular command-and-control architecture centered on the Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system
- Typical sensors
- Oerlikon X-TAR3D tactical acquisition radar or Multi Sensor Unit feeding a consolidated air picture
- Primary effector
- Remote-controlled 35 mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 with integrated radar tracker and electro-optical sensor
- Radar range
- X-TAR3D instrumented range of 25-50 km depending on operating mode
- Fire units
- Basic configuration can use up to four remote-controlled Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 guns
- Ammunition
- Compatible with Oerlikon AHEAD programmable air-burst ammunition for small aerial targets
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Ukraine
Germany supplied Skynex short-range air defense systems with ammunition to Ukraine; reporting on Rheinmetall disclosures says Ukrainian systems were fielded to protect infrastructure against Russian drones and cruise missiles.
Related Weapon Systems
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MIM-23 HAWKMedium-range surface-to-air missile systemThe MIM-23 HAWK is a U.S.-origin medium-range surface-to-air missile system built around radar acquisition, target illumination, and semi-active radar-homing missiles. Developed for mobile low- to medium-altitude air defense and repeatedly upgraded after its 1960 fielding, HAWK returned to operational relevance in Ukraine through donated launchers, refurbished missiles, and sustainment support for air-defense fire units.Sources
Skynex - Networked air defencePublisher: Rheinmetall | Note: Supports manufacturer background, modular architecture, Skymaster control node, sensors, and effector mix. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Oerlikon Skynex Air Defence System brochurePublisher: Rheinmetall | Note: Supports technical specifications for the Skynex control node, X-TAR3D radar, Revolver Gun Mk3, and AHEAD ammunition. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Waffen und militaerische Ausruestung fuer die UkrainePublisher: Federal Government of Germany | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War direct conflict-use context by documenting Skynex air defense systems with ammunition delivered as German military support for Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Germany sends Skynex air defense system, other military aid to UkrainePublisher: The Kyiv Independent | Note: Supports direct delivery context for a Skynex system in Germany's January 2024 military aid package to Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Rheinmetall has completed Skynex deliveries to UkrainePublisher: German Aid to Ukraine | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War direct conflict-use context by reporting Rheinmetall's disclosure that Skynex systems are in Ukrainian use protecting power plants from Russian aerial threats. | Accessed: 2026-06-20File:Skynex SHORAD.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page; Commons lists the file under CC BY-SA 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-20