The Italian Army has ordered a Skynex air defence system from Rheinmetall. The EUR 73 million contract includes an option to supply three additional systems for more than EUR 200 million.
Skynex consists of a sensor and tracking unit for air surveillance, a control station as a command and control centre and four 35mm firing units. It is designed to counter threats from missiles, artillery and mortars, as well as drones and loitering munitions. The system is based on the concept of separating airspace surveillance from the effectors. Italy has opted for the configuration with the XTAR 3D radar from Rheinmetall, which can monitor the airspace in a radius of up to 50 km.
In addition to individual sensors and effectors, existing air defence systems can also be integrated into the new architecture as firing units. The detected air situation is displayed in a remote command and control centre on a map with the sensors and effectors positioned in the field.
The scheduled delivery of the pilot system is to be completed during Q2/2026, while three follow-up systems could be provided within 2027.
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