Germany promises five Skynex: Must stop Iranian drones and Russian missiles

The Skynex air defense system is a short-range mobile air defense system. It can be compared to the German Gepard anti-aircraft system, which consists of self-propelled guns and can knock out both drones and high-precision weapons.

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– The functionality of Skynex allows you to destroy not only enemy kamikaze drones, but also cruise missiles, says military expert and Defense Express director, Serhii Zhurets, in an interview with ArmiyaInform, when the system was launched in 2021, writes The new the voice of Ukraine.

Fires 1,000 rounds per minute

Ukraine has already received two Skynex systems from Germany. The last weapons delivery is said to have taken place on 29 April. Rheinmetall is said to have received an order for a further three Skynex, which will be delivered within the next year, writes Italian Defense Technologies.

According to the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, Skynex is a network-based air defense that provides a highly effective layered protective shield against a wide range of threats from the air.

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The Skynex system is capable of firing at a rate of 1,000 rounds per minute with a range of 4,000 meters. The system is mobile and can be placed on a truck. Skynex has a range of sensors and radars to detect and identify drones.

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Roe deer western weapon system

According to Decene Express, this type of air defense must be tailored to effectively take down low-flying targets such as cruise missiles or Shahed-136 drones at short range.

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Since the invasion began, Russia is said to have fired more than 4,600 Iranian-made Shahed drones. Ukrainian defenders have neutralized the drones using a number of Western weapon systems, such as NASAMS, IRIS-T and Patriot.

The challenge is that the missiles for these systems are very expensive to acquire and use. Ukraine must therefore carefully consider where and when the missiles will be used. It is no secret that the Ukrainian warehouses have been in the process of being emptied.

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Cheaper and more efficient

Weapons expert and author of “Aircraft, Tanks and Artillery of the Ukraine War”, Martin J. Dougherty, tells the Kyiv Independent that drones, which are relatively cheap to produce, represent a major challenge for Ukraine.

– One of the main features of the war is the use of relatively inexpensive delivery systems such as drones. There are significant challenges in detecting, tracking and hitting such small targets. Defense against such weapons requires a low cost per missile fired, and the ability to eliminate several threats in a short time, explains the weapons expert.

Increases the chances of destroying drones

One of the characteristics of the Skynex is that they explode just before they reach the target, releasing a cluster of projectiles, which increases the chances of destroying the drone. In addition, Skynex is much cheaper to operate than other Western air defense systems.

According to weapons expert Martin J. Dougherty, short-range air defense systems of the Skynex type will be essential to protect the large and more expensive air defense systems.

The US has also called on its allies in the US to deliver the Patriot to Ukraine. According to Zelenskyj, Ukraine needs more than 20 new Patriot systems to protect itself against the Russian attacks.

Ukraine has also been promised many tens of F1-16s, which are expected to be delivered starting in the summer.