Germany’s Rheinmetall will provide Ukraine with additional Skyranger 35 air defense systems mounted on Leopard 1 tank hulls, under a contract valued in the hundreds of millions of euros. Financed by an undisclosed EU country using proceeds from frozen Russian assets, the systems will be manufactured and integrated at Rheinmetall Italia’s facility in Rome. The Skyranger 35 combines mobility with powerful cannon-based air defense, capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute and equipped with airburst technology. Future versions may also support guided missile systems. They write:

Rheinmetall is supplying Ukraine with further Skyranger 35 air defence systems based on the Leopard 1. The order is worth a three-digit million Euro figure. The systems are being financed by an EU country through the proceeds from frozen Russian assets. The production and integration of the systems will be carried out by Rheinmetall Italia SpA at its headquarters in Rome.

“We are grateful for the trust that Ukraine has placed in us,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “We would also like to thank the EU country for the support, which underlines our continued efforts to support Ukraine.”

The Leopard 1 Skyranger 35 combines the mobility and protection of a proven tracked vehicle with the outstanding effectiveness of a cannon-based air defence system. The Skyranger 35 is equipped with a KDG 35/1000 revolver cannon in 35 mm x 228 calibre with a firing rate of 1,000 rounds per minute. It has an effective range of up to 4,000 metres and a high degree of commonality with the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk 3. Thanks to AHEAD technology, the Skyranger 35 is airburst-capable. In the future, it will also be possible to equip it with modern guided missiles.

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