Rheinmetall supplies Ukraine with drone defense system

Berlin. The defense company Rheinmetall plans to supply Ukraine with its new Skyranger air defense system for drone defense. A corresponding contract will be signed on Wednesday at the DSEI defense trade fair in London, CEO Armin Papperger told the ZDF magazine "Wiso." "The first deliveries will be made this year." According to the magazine, the deal is worth hundreds of millions.

Skyranger is a mobile air defense system that can be mounted on vehicles. "Each of these systems can cover a four-by-four-kilometer area, ensuring complete drone-free security," Papperger explained.

Russia is currently attacking Ukraine with the heaviest airstrikes since the beginning of the war. With hundreds of drones attacking simultaneously, the Russians are repeatedly succeeding in overwhelming the Ukrainian air defenses.

This means that Ukraine will receive the Skyranger ahead of the Bundeswehr. Germany has also awarded the Düsseldorf-based defense company a major contract worth €595 million to supply a prototype and 18 additional production vehicles. Delivery to the Bundeswehr was originally scheduled for the end of 2024. Papperger now stated that the Bundeswehr has not yet received the equipment.

RND/dpa