Ukraine’s military has shown a cutting-edge NATO-produced air defense system firing at targets during training exercises for the first time.
The Skynex Anti-Aircraft Artillery System, supplied to Ukraine by Germany, is described by its manufacturer Rheinmetall as the “latest solution to short-range air defense.” It is equipped with four 35-millimeter guns, as well as a control node and a radar system that detects air targets.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “We are grateful to our allies for helping to boost Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. More air defense for Ukraine = more innocent lives saved.”
Service members from Air Command “West” practiced shooting the Skynex anti-aircraft artillery system.
We are grateful to our allies for helping to boost Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
More air defense for Ukraine = more innocent lives saved. pic.twitter.com/vrKtVlTyYV— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 25, 2024
Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense for comment.
The German defense contractor Rheinmetall first released the system in 2021.
It features an Oerlikon Mk3 Revolver Gun Mk3 with an integrated radar tracker and electro-optical sensor unit. The tracking and firing of targets are conducted automatically by the integrated fire control processor.
Germany has been supplying Ukraine with weapons and military supplies since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and broke its post-World War II policy of not sending weapons to conflict zones.
A Russian Buk-M3 air defence system operating in Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in Kharkiv, Ukraine on April 27, 2022. Ukraine recently was given new air defense systems by Germany and has been practicing using them during training sessions.
Uncredited, SPTNK/Associated Press
In May, Germany announced that it would provide more military aid to Ukraine, consisting of air defense systems as well as ammunition and other military materials.
This month, the German government provided a full-length list of the arms and supplies sent to Ukraine by Germany and announced that their contributions to the war effort amounted to 28 billion euros.
In 2024 alone, Germany’s funding for military assistance in Ukraine amounted to 7.1 billion euros, and the country has trained more than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers since the beginning of the war.
The United Kingdom has also pledged to aid Ukraine with air defense equipment. The country announced earlier this month that it would provide Ukraine with £162 million worth of air defense missiles.
The White House made a similar promise in July to equip Ukraine with air defense systems and interceptors, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, and anti-tank weapons.
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