Rheinmetall's Skynex proves effective not only against Shahed drones but also Kh-101 and Kalibr missiles — Defense Express
According to Ukrinform, Defense Express reports this on its website, citing Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger during a conference on the company's third-quarter 2025 results.
"The German Skynex air defense system in Ukraine has proven its ability to shoot down not only russian drones such as the Shahed and Gerbera, but also cruise missiles such as the Kh-101 and Kalibr. This confirms the versatility of the system," the report says.
The article notes that the Ukrainian Defense Forces currently officially have two Skynex air-defense systems and are expected to receive two more by the end of 2025.
Defense Express adds that there is nothing surprising about shooting down subsonic cruise missiles with anti-aircraft artillery systems. This represents a standard operating mode for such systems, integrating radar, fire control, and ammunition.
It is reported that Ukraine currently has only a few Skynex systems, but self-propelled Skyranger 35 systems worth hundreds of millions of euros have been ordered, with deliveries scheduled to begin this year. Thus, more air-defense systems should protect Ukrainian skies in the future.
As relatively affordable yet effective air-defense assets, they will complement US Vampire SAM systems, which have also been able to shoot down the modern Russian stealth cruise missile Kh-69.
As Ukrinform previously reported, in October Germany's defense minister Boris Pistorius said Germany is providing EUR400 million for production of Ukrainian long-range drones, and their use against targets deep inside Russia is already producing results.
Photo: Air Command West/ Ukrainian Air Force
