The Dutch Ministry of Defense reports that it is about to conclude a contract for the purchase of 22 Skyranger 30 mobile short-range air defence systems from Rheinmetall Air Defense.
The turret is equipped with a 30-millimeter Oerlikon KCA rapid-fire cannon, short-range ground-to-air missiles, 360-degree radar and an electro-optical and infrared vision system and will be mounted on the ACSV (Armored Combat Support Vehicles) tracked vehicle from Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH for the Netherlands.
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State Secretary Gijs Tuinman hopes to be able to take over the first systems in 2028: “The ongoing war in Ukraine (-> current news from the war in Ukraine) and the events in the Middle East show the growing importance of drones (-> To the current military focus on drones) on the battlefield.” This automatically underlines “how important it is to be able to combat these unmanned systems”, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
Netherlands strengthens air defense
Like almost all countries in Europe, the Netherlands is also investing heavily in its air defense.
In November 2024 NASAMS and NOMADS air defense systems from the of the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace were ordered for around one billion euros. The stationary NASAMS-3 system can fire AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM and AMRAAM-ER missiles in the short and medium-range category. The mobile NOMADS fires AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range surface-to-air missiles.
For this purpose nine Ground Master 200 radar units from from Thales Netherlands were ordered.
In addition, the Netherlands awarded Raytheon a EUR 530 million contract to modernize the Dutch Patriot air defence system on 16 January.
The Skyranger 30 short-range air defense system will thus form the innermost layer of the Netherlands’ future four-layer air defense system.
Fourth Skyranger customer, fifth vehicle
The Skyranger 30 system is now attracting a great deal of attention. Within a year, Rheinmetall has now received orders for more than 90 Skyranger 30 systems.
The Austria made the start in February 2024. The Austrian Armed Forces has placed a firm order for 36 systems and subscribed to nine options. The basis for the order is the system built in Vienna-Simmering at General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr manufactured in Vienna-Simmering. Deliveries will begin in 2026.
One week later, the German Armed Forces a first batch of 19 systems. It is based on the 8×8 GTK Boxer wheeled armored vehicle. The contract includes an option for a further 30 systems. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, as in Austria.
Denmark followed in September 2024Copenhagen ordered 16 vehicles based on the 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle Mowag Piranha V. Deliveries are planned for 2026/2027.
22 further systems, the first on chain, are now going to the Netherlands. In addition, Rheinmetall in Hungary to adapt the Skyranger 30 turret for the Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle. Hungary is planning to purchase 18 vehicles.
Click here for further reports on Rheinmetall.
