Denmark has placed an order with Rheinmetall for the supply of 16 Skyranger 30 turrets, which will be integrated into 8×8 tactical vehicles for the Danish armed forces. This contract, valued in the lower hundreds of millions of euros, also includes a separate order for ammunition, estimated in the tens of millions of euros. Deliveries of these systems are scheduled between 2027 and 2028, with a prototype expected by the end of 2026. This announcement was made by the German company Rheinmetall on September 30, 2024.
The Skyranger 30 is a very short-range air defense system designed to counter modern aerial threats, such as drones, helicopters, and other low-flying aircraft.
According to Lieutenant General Per Pugholm Olsen, head of the Danish procurement agency, this contract marks a crucial step in establishing the brigade’s air defense, thus strengthening its operational capabilities. The selection of the Skyranger 30 was made in close cooperation with the Danish Defence Command to ensure the system meets the country’s strategic needs.
The Skyranger 30 is a very short-range air defense system designed to counter modern aerial threats, such as drones, helicopters, and other low-flying aircraft. Developed by Rheinmetall Air Defence AG, the core of the system lies in its lightweight turret, which weighs between 2.5 and 3.4 tons depending on the configuration. The turret’s compact dimensions ensure greater flexibility on the battlefield. Measuring 5.17 meters in length, 2.56 meters in width, and 1.44 meters in height, the turret can be installed on various types of armored vehicles. It is operated by a crew of three, who control both the main weaponry and the detection systems.
The Skyranger 30 is equipped with a 30mm Oerlikon KCE revolver cannon, using airburst munitions that detonate near the target to maximize effectiveness against fast-moving and small aerial threats. The cannon is capable of firing up to 1,200 rounds per minute, with a nominal rate of 200 rounds per minute in single-shot mode, offering great operational flexibility. Its effective range is 3 kilometers for the cannon, while the onboard missiles provide a range of 5 to 8 kilometers, expanding the coverage against more distant targets.