Bundeswehr needs to order extra anti-aircraft tanks | EUROtoday

The Bundeswehr needs to order a lot of “Skyranger” anti-aircraft tanks. This is meant to shut the hole left by the retired “cheetah”. The “Skyrangers” are additionally appropriate for defending in opposition to enemy drones.

The Bundeswehr is planning a big order of “Skyranger 30” anti-aircraft tanks from the Düsseldorf-based arms firm Rheinmetall. The ARD capital studio confirmed a corresponding report within the Handelsblatt, which referred to the Ministry of Defense and folks from the economic setting.

According to Handelsblatt, greater than 600 “Skyranger” programs are to be ordered this 12 months. The worth of the order, together with the related automobiles, is estimated at greater than 9 billion euros.

Ministry of Defense confirms negotiations

A Defense Ministry spokesman didn’t verify figures however mentioned negotiations have been underway. A prototype of the “Skyranger” system is at present being examined. This will run till the top of the 12 months.

According to the spokesman, 19 programs have already been ordered. “And it was also announced that if this system proves itself in testing, we will need three-digit numbers of additional vehicles,” he mentioned.

Rheinmetall speaks of nice curiosity within the “Skyranger”

A Rheinmetall spokesman mentioned they have been getting ready for a big enhance in manufacturing because of the excessive degree of curiosity within the “Skyranger” from a number of buyer international locations. The present benchmark is at the least 200 items per 12 months.

As half of the present Bundeswehr order, two further automobiles are to be delivered for testing in 2026. Series supply will start in 2027 and will probably be accomplished by mid-2028.

“Skyranger” additionally for Ukraine

According to Rheinmetall, “Skyranger” programs value three-digit hundreds of thousands will even be delivered to Ukraine. As the Reuters information company studies, this order is being financed by an EU state.

The system is meant to shut a functionality hole within the Bundeswehr that was left by the “Cheetah”, which was decommissioned in 2010 – the anti-aircraft tank is now in use in Ukraine to defend in opposition to Russian drones.

“Skyranger” can Swarm assaults fend off drones

According to Rheinmetall, “Skyranger” is a strong, autonomous weapon system that can be utilized in opposition to drones, helicopters and precision-guided munitions.

The anti-aircraft tanks can hearth so-called fragmentation ammunition with a excessive price of fireplace. “Each of these systems can cover four by four kilometers in order to be completely drone-free,” Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger defined in a ZDF interview in September.

In current weeks, drones of unknown origin have been noticed in a number of European international locations – together with Germany. Especially after drones have been noticed at Munich Airport on two consecutive days final week – and flight operations needed to be stopped twice – requires higher safety grew to become louder. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt needs to tighten legal guidelines and likewise depend on the Bundeswehr to defend itself.