Rheinmetall announced on 15 January that the company has received an order to deliver Skynex air defence systems to the Italian Army.
An initial order for a Skynex system valued at EUR 73 million has been placed with Rheinmetall Italia. The contract also includes an option for the procurement of three additional systems, amounting to a total of EUR 204 million.
The anticipated delivery of the pilot system is set for completion in the second quarter of 2026. Additionally, there is the potential to contract three subsequent systems in 2027. The distribution package encompasses the necessary ammunition, training and maintenance services, along with spare parts.
A Skynex system is composed of a sensor and tracking unit dedicated to aerial surveillance, a control station serving as the command-and-control hub, and four 35mm firing units. These systems are engineered to address threats posed by missiles, artillery, mortars, drones, and loitering munitions, providing both national defence capabilities and safeguarding forces in operational environments.
Italy has become the first NATO member to select Rheinmetall’s Skynex technology, which includes the Revolver Gun Mk3 35mm. Rheinmetall stated that this order represents a significant milestone in the company’s strategy to set a new benchmark in cannon-based air defence for international military forces. Additionally, NATO member Romania has recently chosen Skynex in conjunction with another existing weapon system, the GDF-009 twin guns.
The Skynex air defence systems are currently demonstrating their effectiveness with the Ukrainian armed forces, safeguarding lives and assets against aerial threats in the challenging conditions of modern warfare.
Skynex air defence system
The Oerlikon Skynex Air Defence System represents Rheinmetall’s most advanced offering for short-range air defence. Its open and modular design establishes new benchmarks for flexibility and scalability. Central to this system is the Oerlikon Skymaster Battle Management System, which serves as the control hub.
A variety of sensors and effectors can be interconnected in a modular fashion to meet specific mission needs. Medium-range radars, such as the Qerlikon X-TAR3D Tactical Acquisition Radar, contribute to the comprehensive air picture, which is integrated within the control hub. From this point, air targets are allocated to autonomous effectors through the Skymaster network.
In addition to the high-performance Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 and the Oerlikon Twin Gun GDF009 TREO, the system can incorporate surface-to-air missiles, capabilities for active and passive electronic warfare, and future high-energy laser systems. This diverse array of weaponry creates a robust layered defence against a wide range of aerial threats, effectively addressing challenges posed by saturation and swarm attacks in the future.
The Skynex air defence system is designed to decouple air traffic control from the effectors. Its modularity allows users to integrate only those systems relevant to the mission into the command and control unit. Skynex supports the incorporation of sensors from various manufacturers, providing additional operational flexibility. The sole requirement for integration is an integrated tracking unit.
Furthermore, users can connect existing fire units, such as Skyshield or Skyguard, to the control hub in a traditional fire unit configuration. The consolidated air picture is displayed on a map within the command and control centre, indicating both sensor and effector locations, thereby facilitating target designation for the linked air defence systems.
