German Skynex bolsters Ukraine's defence against Russian drones

Ukrainians have published a recording showcasing the Skynex. Although two batteries of this anti-aircraft system reached the front lines some time ago, Ukrainians hadn't highlighted it until now. What distinguishes Skynex, and what capabilities does it provide?

"We are grateful to our allies for helping to increase Ukraine's air defense potential. More air defense systems for Ukraine = more innocent lives saved," wrote the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in a brief statement referencing Skynex.

Skynex is assessed by analysts as a significant reinforcement of the Ukrainian Air Force, for whom combating Russian drones has become a daily task. Skynex is a weapon dedicated to countering such threats, although it can also be used to shoot down, for example, cruise missiles or airplanes. The effective range of Skynex is estimated to be about 4 kilometres.

The Ukrainian recording highlights several key elements of this German system. It features the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3, which can fire up to 1,000 rounds per minute and handles armour-piercing ammunition or programmable AHEAD. The system also has an option for automatic target tracking and an X-TAR3D radar.

The complete turret system of Skynex weighs a little over 5,000 kilograms (with a supply of 252 rounds of ammunition). It is evident that the Ukrainians are testing the Skynex in a stationary version dedicated to protecting specific targets. In a mobile version, it would need to be mounted on the chassis of an appropriate armoured transporter.

Germany is one of the countries that most frequently respond to Ukrainian calls for air defence systems. As part of the support, Berlin has managed to deliver to the front not only the Skynex systems but also Gepard systems (also mainly used to counter Russian drones) and the most advanced anti-aircraft systems like IRIS-T and Patriot.