Old Leopard tanks can be upgraded as air defense systems with the Skyranger 35 turret
Over the past years, Rheinmetall has been promoting the Skyranger family of anti-aircraft artillery systems on the market. One of the key advantages of such combat modules is compatibility with different chassis, which is regularly demonstrated using new prototypes. This time, Rheinmetall presented three promising Skyrenger ZACs on different bases, incl. based on a tank.
Anti-aircraft guns from the exhibition
On June 17, the next military-technical exhibition Eurosatory opened in Paris. One of the regular participants of this event is the German company Rheinmetall, and each time it presents new developments of various kinds that are of great interest. This time the company paid attention to the direction of land anti-aircraft systems and presented three unified models of this class at once.
New anti-aircraft artillery / missile and artillery systems are built using unified combat modules of the Skyranger family. Modules of two main types are used, as well as three different chassis. Due to this, potential buyers were able to offer three models of equipment with different features, but similar parameters.
Two SAM systems are made using Skyranger 30 combat modules, equipped with 30-mm automatic cannons and guided missiles. rockets "surface-to-air". One turret of this type was mounted on a Lynx KF41 tracked chassis, while the other used a wheeled Boxer. It is curious that prototypes of the ZAK / ZRAK based on the Boxer with both types of the Skyranger module have already been demonstrated in the past. Thus, the carrier of the 30-mm gun was shown in 2022.
ZAK on the Lynx KF41 chassis
The third ZAK was carried out on the chassis of the main tank Leopard 2A4. The higher carrying capacity of such a vehicle made it possible to use the Skyranger 35 combat module with a larger caliber gun. The resulting self-propelled gun differs from the other two products in improved protection, higher firing range, etc.
On the first day of Eurosatory 2024, representatives of Germany, Hungary and Denmark signed a letter of intent to organize the production and supply of the ZAK / ZRAK Skyranger family. In the near future, three countries, within the framework of the international program European Sky Shield Initiative, will issue contracts to the manufacturing company for the production of the desired number of self-propelled guns with 30 mm guns. It is not specified which ZAKs will be purchased, but it is reported that they will be adapted to the wishes of specific customers.
Perspective development
During the exhibition, Rheinmetall management announced plans to develop another ZAK of the Skyrenger line. They plan to install a combat module with a 35-mm cannon on the chassis of the old Leopard 1 tank. Such a project will use existing experience, which will have a positive impact on the timing and quality of development.
A ZAK based on Leopard-1 is proposed to be made for a specific customer. They want to send such equipment to Ukraine to make up for the losses of anti-aircraft weapons. The Skyranger 35 self-propelled gun is considered as a direct replacement for Gepard armored vehicles. The latter were previously supplied to Ukraine in significant quantities by several foreign countries. At the same time, the equipment arrived in a fairly used condition, and then suffered serious losses.
Boxer / Skyranger 30 complex (photo from the Berlin exhibition ILA 2024)
The hypothetical contract for ZAK Leopard 1 / Skyranger 35 is of particular importance for Rheinmetall. With its help, the company will be able to make money and also get rid of accumulated stocks of obsolete tanks. In addition, the operation and combat use of the new ZAK in a real conflict zone should be a good advertisement for the entire Skyrenger family.
However, for now we are talking only about proposals and desires. The Leopard 1-based ZAK project exists only as a general concept that requires further development. This requires time and funding. The issue of producing and sending such equipment to the Kyiv regime has also not yet been resolved.
Battle Modules
The constantly expanding family of anti-aircraft self-propelled guns is built around two main elements - Skyranger combat modules. Both of these products are armored turrets with artillery (optional missile) weapons, ammunition, optics and control systems. Externally, in terms of layout and equipment, the Skyranger 30/35 modules are similar to each other, but there are significant differences associated with the weapons used.
The Skyranger 30 type module is equipped with a 30 mm Oerlikon KCA automatic cannon. This is a single-barrel gun chambered for 30x173 mm ammunition, capable of using different types of projectiles. The rate of fire reaches 1200 rounds/min. bursts or 200 rounds/min. single. The gun is equipped with a programmer for air-blasted projectiles. The maximum effective fire range is 3 km.
While maintaining the dimensions and weight at the level of the second module of the family, they were able to fit a retractable launcher for anti-aircraft missiles into the Skyranger 30 body. Previously, installations for two or four missiles taken from serial MANPADS were demonstrated. Earlier this year, for the first time, they presented a package for nine guides for small-sized missiles for intercepting UAVs.
Signing of preliminary agreements for the production of ZRAK Skyranger
The larger and heavier Skyrenger-35 turret is equipped with a 35-mm Oerlikon GDM automatic cannon. The gun uses 35x228 mm rounds with different types of shells, incl. with a programmable fuse. To work with the electronics of the projectile, a programmer is provided on the muzzle of the barrel. The gun's rate of fire is limited to 1000 rounds/min. Effective range – up to 4 km.
Both Skyrange modules are equipped with electric drives for guidance. Circular rotation around a vertical axis and barrel elevation at an angle of up to +85° are provided. A unified fire control system is used. An optical-electronic station and radar are used to detect and track targets, as well as monitor the results of firing. It is possible to install radars and EPS of different types, at the request of the customer. The complex is controlled by an operator or operators from a remote control inside the armored vehicle.
At the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition, Rheinmetall is showing three variants of the ZAK with Skyranger modules and promises one more. All these developments have a common architecture, but differ in different features and characteristics. Thus, self-propelled guns on the Lynx and Boxer chassis have an average combat weight and are protected only from small-caliber artillery and some types of grenade launchers. At the same time, they carry a module with a 30-mm cannon and missiles, which limits their combat radius.
From the point of view of firepower and protection, the ZAK based on the Leopard 2 MBT looks more interesting. Apparently, this combat vehicle has retained the standard projectile-proof armor on the front of the hull and other design features. Due to the tracked undercarriage and specific power, which has increased due to the abandonment of the standard tank turret, high mobility and maneuverability should be achieved. With all this, the combat radius of the complex is limited by the characteristics of the gun used and the lack of missiles.
The announced ZAK project based on Leopard-1 will be similar in firepower to the product shown at the current exhibition. At the same time, an outdated chassis will limit the overall level of protection and will not allow for high performance characteristics. However, this is not so important, since the project has completely different goals.
SB360 Wide Area Sensor radar from Electronics UK, suitable for use in Skyranger modules. In the background on the left is a ZAK on a Boxer chassis
Unclear future
Rheinmetall positions the Skyranger 30/35 complexes as a modern and effective means of combating tactical and army aviation enemy, as well as from UAVs of a number of classes. For well-known reasons, the latter occupy a special place in advertising and are considered almost as the main target for 30- and 35-mm shells. Taking into account such tasks, the composition of the MSA and other aspects of the project are determined.
To interest customers, the development company offers different options for anti-aircraft self-propelled guns using a pair of unified modules. In this context, all modern German-made armored chassis have already been used, and the next such ZAK was shown at Eurosatory 2024. They also promised another vehicle on an outdated base, which is expected to have some advantages.
It should be noted that Rheinmetall's efforts to promote the Skyrangers have had very limited results. Only a few days ago, the interest of potential customers turned into a preliminary agreement, contracts for which will appear only in the future. Whether new orders should be expected is a big question.
However, German gunsmiths have found an interesting solution to the sales problem. They propose a simplified version of the ZAK for transfer to the Kyiv regime. Military assistance to Ukraine has been a hot topic for three years now and, with the right approach, can make money. It is obvious that Rheinmetall plans to promote a self-propelled gun based on the Leopard 1 MBT specifically for profit, as well as for advertising in order to obtain further contracts.
However, the position of the Skyranger 30/35 project as a whole remains ambiguous. Despite many years of promotion on the market, it is not particularly popular, and an attempt to advertise it with the help of the Ukrainian Defense has dubious prospects. Time will tell whether the leading German arms company will be able to change this situation.
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