Germany handed over Rheinmetall Skynex anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine
Artillery module on a vehicle chassis
Last year, it became known that Germany plans to send several Skynex anti-aircraft artillery systems manufactured by Rheinmetall AG to Ukraine. Supply of such weapons in accordance with the signed contract was expected only in the distant future. Now it is reported that the manufacturer has already sent the required ZAK to the Ukrainian formations. At the same time, such a supply is unlikely to be useful for the Ukrainian side and entails negative consequences for the German side.
For an unknown client
On December 9, the Rheinmetall group of companies announced the receipt of the first contract for the mass production of the latest ZAK Skyneks. Some details of the future delivery were disclosed, but the customer remained unknown.
According to official data, the contract provides for the manufacture of two complexes with a total value of 182 million euros. There was also an additional agreement for the supply of Rheinmetall HX trucks with a total value of 12 million euros. The finished products were going to be handed over to the customer at the beginning of 2024.
On the same day, the German edition of Handelsblatt revealed new interesting details of the latest Rheinmetall contracts. From unnamed sources in government circles, it learned that the German government is the customer for the two ZAK Skynex and trucks, and it will pay for the production. At the same time, Ukraine is listed as the actual recipient of the products.
On the last day of February, Rheinmetall AG CEO Armin Papperger gave an interview to Pioneer. He said that two ZAKs of German-Swiss production had already gone to Ukraine. This is one Skyranger product and the first of the previously ordered Skynex complexes. The total cost of the two complexes is approx. 200 million euros, i.e. significantly higher than the price of the December contract.
A. Papperger also revealed a curious feature of the last delivery. So, anti-aircraft weapons had to be removed from combat duty. Until recently, the transferred ZAK pair was involved in the air defense of Berlin. The capital was defended by four artillery systems, and now only half remain in service.
Different placement options for the combat module
How soon the shipped ZAK will appear in Ukraine is unclear. It can take only a few days for these items to be transported and delivered to the duty station. Apparently, Skynex and Skyranger will be deployed in or near Kiev to protect the military and political leadership of Ukraine, as well as related facilities. However, there is reason to doubt the possibility of effective application of the obtained complexes.
Promising complex
The Skynex complex is another result of the consistent development of small-caliber artillery systems, launched in the past by Oerlikon. In fact, the new complex is made on the basis of the older Skyranger / Skyshield by rebuilding some components and introducing new features.
Materials on the promising ZAK Skynex were first shown in 2016 at one of the international exhibitions. In the future, Rheinmetall continued the advertising campaign and promoted this product on the market. It was present at various exhibitions, incl. with demonstration of new configurations.
In parallel with the promotion on the market, development work continued and preparations were underway for testing. In 2021, for the first time, the combat operation of the complex was demonstrated in a training ground. An aircraft-type UAV was used as a training target. ZAK means successfully detected this target and hit it with the help of modern small-caliber projectiles.
The search for potential customers for serial Skynex continued for several years, and was successfully completed at the end of last year. As is now known, the government of Germany became the first buyer of such a complex. However, so far it has been limited to only two ZAKs, and they were acquired not for their own needs, but to help the Kyiv “allies”.
According to the latest statements by the leadership of the Rheinmetall group, the Skynex complex has already been sent to Ukraine. At the same time, such news raises some questions. So, it was previously reported that the first Skynex will be shipped to the customer only at the beginning of 2024. This means that production is just starting, and there are no mass-produced products yet. In addition, A. Papperger mentioned that the ZAK for Ukraine had to be removed from combat duty.
Container with radar
It can be assumed that in the context of Berlin's air defense, an older serial Skyranger / Skyshield complex was mentioned. In the case of the new Skynex, we can talk about an experimental complex previously built for use in field tests. Now he could be sent to Ukraine for verification in a real conflict. In addition, the participation of ZAK in the fighting will help the advertising campaign.
Technical features
Skynex is an anti-aircraft artillery system designed to protect various objects and areas, such as settlements, troop locations, etc. ZAK has a container design - it can be placed permanently or on self-propelled chassis, which will provide movement between positions. At the same time, work is possible only in position after deployment, but not on the move.
The typical composition of the Skynex battery includes several fixed assets. First of all, this is the Skymaster command post, responsible for data processing, target distribution and fire control. Illumination of the situation within a radius of 50 km is carried out by the Oerlikon X-TAR3D radar station. The complex can work independently and search for targets on its own. It is also possible to receive target designation from other air defense systems.
To defeat targets, automated container combat modules are used. Such a module can be placed on the ground or fire directly from a transporter truck. The module is equipped with a turret containing a 35 mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk 3 automatic cannon. The module has an optoelectronic station and a target tracking radar for target tracking and gun guidance.
The Mk 3 product is a revolver-type cannon with several chambers and gas automatics. Ammunition - 250 shells in a linkless feed system. The rate of fire reaches 1000 rds / min., The initial speed, depending on the ammunition, is up to 1400 m / s. The possibility of effective firing at a distance of 4-5 km is declared.
The 35mm cannon can use the entire range of 35x228mm shots, both existing and future ammunition. High-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing tracer shells of various types are considered as the main ones. At the same time, the development of the family of 35-mm shells continues.
Workplace of operators in the command post
Now the company "Rheinmetall" offers customers a new fragmentation projectile with a programmable fuse AHEAD. It is alleged that such ammunition increases the likelihood of hitting air targets, incl. small. With it, Skynex can fight light UAVs, high-precision weapons and other complex targets. At the same time, accuracy has its price - about 4 thousand euros per shot.
Doubtful prospects
According to the latest news from Germany, in the near future Ukrainian formations will be able to receive and deploy the first Skynex-type ZAK. A second system of this type is expected to be delivered in the foreseeable future. In addition, the delivery of a similar complex of a different type is reported. Presumably, they will be deployed in the area of Kyiv to protect the governing bodies and high-ranking officials.
It is easy to see that thanks to the existing contracts, Ukraine will receive a limited number of artillery systems. Thus, two Skynex ZAKs ordered include only a pair of radars, two command posts and no more than eight artillery modules. The practical use of such air defense will be very limited.
With the help of two complexes, incl. eight combat modules, it is possible to organize point air defense of several sections, slightly spaced on the ground. In addition, it is possible to cover a larger area, but in this case, the firing range of 5 km imposes obvious limitations. In addition, Skynex has other disadvantages that are typical for small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery.
An important feature of the promising Skynex is the improved ability to work in network structures or as part of a layered air defense system. The use of third-party target designation and the assistance of other ZAKs or SAMs can increase the effectiveness of the use of 35-mm guns. However, Ukraine does not have all the necessary means and complexes that would allow organizing a multi-component layered air defense system.
Predictable future
If the latest news is true, then in the coming weeks, new air defense systems in the form of the German-Swiss ZAK Skynex and other similar equipment may appear near Kiev. The Ukrainian leadership again hopes that foreign weapons will help it defend itself against Russian weapons.
However, the small number of received and promised anti-aircraft weapons, the impossibility of a normal air defense organization and other factors should lead to an understandable result. It should be expected that all delivered "Skyneks" or "Skyrangers" that interfere with the implementation of missile and aviation attacks will be detected and destroyed. Accordingly, new Russian strikes will show the required effectiveness, and the Rheinmetall AG advertising campaign will fail.
Information