The Ukrainian Air Forces have released a video recording in which the Skynex air defense system manufactured by the German producer Rheinmetall efficiently shot down enemy drones.
Russia has expanded its drone attacks, and the German air defense system Skynex used by the Ukrainian army is proving its full effectiveness.
The Ukrainian Air Forces have released a video showing the Skynex system in action. The time and location of the operation have not been disclosed, as reported by Kyiv Post.
Ukraine received the Skynex systems for the first time in 2023 and published images of them during training exercises in September 2024.
How Skynex Works
Skynex is a modular and lightweight automatic 35mm anti-aircraft gun designed for short-range air defense. It uses significantly cheaper ammunition than guided missile systems.
The Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 fires at a rate of 1,000 rounds per minute with a range of 4,000 meters. It is mounted on a truck and can destroy a swarm of small FPV drones in a single burst.
According to its German manufacturer Rheinmetall, Skynex is a "networked air defense" system that provides "a highly effective layered protection shield against a wide spectrum of aerial threats" and serves as a "response to saturation and swarm attacks."
Middle Ground
Ukraine previously relied on systems like the German-made Gepard and the basic and not always efficient tactic of shooting them down with large-caliber 50 mounted on trucks.
Skynex represents a middle ground between the two - an extremely precise system that can shoot down drones but uses much cheaper ammunition.
Moreover, being a modular system, Skynex can be configured in a variety of ways depending on the threat.
The Ukrainian Air Forces have praised the system's performance, stating that it boosts the morale of the soldiers, and have thanked international partners for their support. Rheinmetall, the German manufacturer of Skynex, has played a key role in strengthening Ukraine's air defense.
As Russia intensifies its drone attacks with Iranian-made Shahed drones, military analysts say that expanding Ukraine's inventory of Skynex systems could significantly enhance its short-range air defense capabilities.