Rheinmetall to Deliver Air Defense Systems to Ukraine Using Frozen Russian Funds
German defense giant Rheinmetall will deliver additional Skyranger 35 air defense systems to Ukraine, financed through proceeds from frozen Russian assets under a European initiative to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
The Gaze reports this, citing the company’s statement.
Rheinmetall confirmed that the new systems will be mounted on Leopard 1 chassis and produced by Rheinmetall Italia SpA at its facility in Rome.
The contract, valued in the hundreds of millions of euros, underscores Germany’s ongoing role in bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses amid continued Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.
“We are grateful to Ukraine for its trust in our technologies, and we thank the European partner state for its strong support. This cooperation reflects our enduring commitment to assist Ukraine,” said Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall’s CEO.
The Skyranger 35 combines the mobility and armor protection of a tracked combat vehicle with a high-performance gun-based air defense system.
Equipped with a 35mm KDG 35/1000 revolver cannon capable of firing up to 1,000 rounds per minute and with a range of up to four kilometers, the system provides effective defense against drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft. It is also fully compatible with the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk 3.
The move follows earlier reports that Germany’s Defense Ministry planned to acquire mobile Skyranger systems from Rheinmetall to replace the retired Gepard platforms, closing a gap in Europe’s short-range air defense network.
Read more on The Gaze: Rheinmetall in Ukraine: From Ammunition Plant to Strategic Partnership