Rheinmetall has secured another major success in the field of ground-based air defence (GbAD), following Romania’s decision to procure its advanced Skyranger 35 air defence systems as part of a landmark €5.7 billion defence modernisation programme.

The comprehensive procurement package includes 24 Skyranger 35 systems integrated onto the Lynx KF41 tracked infantry fighting vehicle, alongside seven Skynex air defence systems and two Millennium Gun naval air defence systems. Rheinmetall first announced the contract on 2 June 2026.

The acquisition represents a significant milestone for both Romania and Rheinmetall, reinforcing the company’s position as one of Europe’s leading providers of mobile air defence solutions while further strengthening its longstanding partnership with the Romanian Armed Forces.

Romania’s investment forms part of its broader effort to modernise its military capabilities, enhance national security, and strengthen NATO’s eastern flank amid an increasingly complex security environment. Recent incidents involving unmanned aerial vehicles entering Romanian airspace have underscored the growing need for highly mobile Very Short-Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) capabilities capable of countering modern airborne threats.

Commenting on the contract, Oliver Dürr, Head of Rheinmetall’s Air Defence Division, described the agreement as a major step forward for European air defence.

“Romania’s decision to choose the Skyranger 35 on the Lynx platform is a significant milestone for European air defence. We are proud to continue our decades-long partnership with the Romanian government and provide the country with direct support in this critical security situation. The recent drone incident has shown how quickly airborne threats can become a reality. The Skyranger 35 provides Romania with a highly efficient and flexible solution for protecting soldiers reliably as well as critical infrastructure against modern threats at short and very short range,” Dürr said.

The Skyranger 35 combines a high-performance 35 mm revolver cannon with programmable AHEAD airburst ammunition, providing an effective response against loitering munitions, drone swarms, cruise missiles and conventional aerial threats. The system integrates advanced radar sensors, electro-optical tracking systems and fire-control technology within a protected, highly mobile platform, enabling autonomous target detection, tracking and engagement while on the move.

Mounted on the proven Lynx KF41 platform, the Skyranger 35 offers a combination of mobility, protection and firepower designed to meet the demands of modern battlefield operations. The integration provides Romanian forces with a flexible capability to protect manoeuvre formations, critical infrastructure and strategic assets against evolving aerial threats.

Beyond enhancing Romania’s national defence, the programme also supports greater standardisation and interoperability among NATO allies, reflecting the Alliance’s continued emphasis on integrated air and missile defence capabilities in response to the changing European security landscape.