Skynex is Rheinmetall Air Defence's modular short-range air defense architecture built around the Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system, networked X-TAR3D-class sensors, and autonomous 35 mm Revolver Gun Mk3 effectors firing programmable AHEAD ammunition. German-funded Skynex systems in Ukrainian service have been reported in truck-mounted power-plant defense roles, while Italy received the first NATO-member Skynex battery in December 2025.
Germany delivered Skynex short-range air defense systems with ammunition to Ukraine; Rheinmetall and German Aid to Ukraine reporting describe Ukrainian systems protecting power plants and engaging Russian Shahed-type drones, loitering munitions, and cruise missiles. German Aid to Ukraine also reported, citing Ukraine's Air Command West, that one Skynex fire unit had destroyed about 37 aerial targets, including a single mission with one cruise missile and eleven Shahed drones.
2020s short-range and counter-UAS air defense system
Designer
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
Designed
2020s
Unit cost
€73 million for the first system ordered in January 2025
Produced
2020s-present
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
Italy's configuration uses the XTAR 3D radar with airspace monitoring out to 50 km
Gun performance
The Revolver Gun Mk3 fires at 1,000 rounds per minute and has a range of up to 4 km
Ammunition
Programmable Oerlikon AHEAD ammunition for precision engagement of drones and other air targets
Ukraine fielded configuration
German Aid to Ukraine reported four German-funded Ukrainian systems, each truck-mounted and equipped with up to four Revolver Gun Mk3 fire units
Documented ConfigurationShowHide
Rheinmetall describes Skynex as a modular cannon-based air-defense network. The control node separates surveillance from effectors, while national configurations can differ by sensor set, fire-unit mix, and mobility.
Module
Role
Source-backed detail
Skymaster battle management system
Control node
The system centers on the Skymaster network, which consolidates the air picture and assigns targets to connected effectors.
XTAR 3D radar / Multi Sensor Unit
Sensor layer
Rheinmetall lists X-TAR3D and MSU sensor options; Italy selected an XTAR 3D configuration with airspace monitoring out to 50 km.
Revolver Gun Mk3
Effector
The 35 mm gun fires at 1,000 rounds per minute and reaches out to 4 km.
AHEAD ammunition
Munition
Programmable AHEAD rounds are used for precise engagement of drones and other air targets and are resistant to electronic countermeasures.
Ukrainian HX truck-mounted configuration
Mobile deployment
German Aid to Ukraine reported that Ukraine's German-funded systems were mounted on Rheinmetall HX 8x8 swap-body trucks and used up to four Revolver Gun Mk3 fire units per system.
Rheinmetall says Skyguard and Skyshield families can be integrated into the Skynex architecture as firing units, while the product page also lists GDF009 TREO integration.
SkyKnight missile launcher unit
Optional missile effector
Rheinmetall describes SkyKnight as a missile launcher option designed for integration into Skynex to complement cannon-based effectors against saturation attacks.
VariantsShowHide
Public sources describe Skynex as a modular architecture rather than a single fixed launcher, so the visible configurations differ by sensor package, fire-unit mix, and mobility.
Variant
Configuration
Designation notes
Oerlikon Skynex with Revolver Gun Mk3 fire units
Cannon-based short-range air defense configuration
Rheinmetall's product material and Italy handover release describe Skynex with Skymaster command-and-control, X-TAR3D-class sensors, and 35 mm Revolver Gun Mk3 effectors firing programmable AHEAD ammunition.
German Aid to Ukraine reported that the systems supplied to Ukraine were mounted on Rheinmetall HX 8x8 swap-body trucks and that each system used up to four Revolver Gun Mk3 fire units.
Rheinmetall said Italy selected a configuration with XTAR 3D radar, Revolver Gun Mk3 35 mm guns, and AHEAD ammunition when the first Italian battery was handed over in December 2025.
Skynex is designed to connect sensors and effectors through the Skymaster network, and Rheinmetall says existing fire units can also be plugged into that architecture.
Germany said Skynex air defense systems with ammunition were being delivered to Ukraine as part of additional military aid.
Sources: Germany sends Skynex air defense system, other military aid to Ukraine
Italy orders its first Skynex system
Rheinmetall said Italy placed a January 2025 order for its first Skynex system, with a reported contract value of about €73 million.
Sources: Rheinmetall hands over first Skynex system to Italy
Four Ukrainian systems reported in service
German Aid to Ukraine reported Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger's statement that four Skynex systems were in use in Ukraine for power-plant defense.
Sources: Rheinmetall has completed Skynex deliveries to Ukraine
First Italian battery handed over
Rheinmetall said the first Skynex battery for Italy was handed over to the Italian Army in Sabaudia on 18 December 2025.
Sources: Rheinmetall hands over first Skynex system to Italy
Operational intercept details reported
German Aid to Ukraine reported Air Command West details crediting one Skynex fire unit with about 37 destroyed aerial targets, including a single mission against one cruise missile and eleven Shahed drones.
Sources: Ukrainian Skynex intercepts 12 targets in a single mission
