Faced with the widespread use of drones on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield and potential security threats, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday evening that it has signed a contract with Germany's Rheinmetall for the procurement of anti-drone systems. The Skyranger air defense gun systems will be introduced at a budget of less than 1 billion euros (approximately 1.2 billion US dollars), which is lower than the 1.3 billion euros budget reported to parliament in January this year. The procurement covers two configurations: mobile and fixed deployment. The first batch of equipment will be delivered by the end of 2028, and full deployment will be completed by the end of 2029, marking a crucial step for the Netherlands in the field of anti-drone defense.

  Drones have become the "new normal" on the battlefield. Their characteristics of low cost and high mobility pose severe challenges to ground troops and critical infrastructure, which has also prompted European countries to accelerate the improvement of their anti-drone defense systems. The Dutch Ministry of Defence stated that the commissioning of the Skyranger system will "provide the Netherlands with more anti-drone defense options in high-intensity conflict scenarios". It will not only fill the capability gap of the existing short-range and medium-range air defense systems but also undertake the important task of protecting combat troops, critical infrastructure and military bases — including the Port of Rotterdam, Europe's largest port and a core hub for transporting military supplies to Ukraine, which holds a vital strategic position.

  The Skyranger system procured by the Netherlands this time has achieved major technological breakthroughs and is a "brand-new configuration" launched by Rheinmetall. It can be mounted on armored vehicles to form mobile air defense units, or achieve fixed deployment through a hook-and-lift transport platform, operating independently without relying on a carrier. Oliver Dürr, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Air Defence, emphasized: "This configuration that balances high-mobility operations and fixed defense is the first of its kind in the world, and another NATO country has expressed interest in purchasing it." Previously, the Skyranger system mainly focused on the mobile version and has displayed the armored-mounted version at events such as the Paris Eurosatory and the London DSEI.

  As the core combat unit, the Skyranger 30 is equipped with a 30mm revolver cannon that fires airburst ammunition, with a maximum range of up to 5 kilometers, capable of accurately destroying various drone targets weighing up to 600 kilograms. In addition to the weapon turret and the adaptive base for armored vehicles, the Netherlands has also purchased tactical control nodes and hook-and-lift transport platforms required for fixed deployment, forming a complete "detection-command-strike" combat chain. Notably, Germany's Hensoldt has signed a long-term framework agreement with Rheinmetall to provide the Spexer 2000 ground-based air defense radar for the system. This agreement, valid until the 2030s, has a potential value of hundreds of millions of euros and will further enhance the Skyranger's target detection and tracking capabilities.

  Contract details show that Rheinmetall will deliver a "double-digit" number of Skyranger systems to the Netherlands, with the contract amount in the "high three-digit" million euro range (equivalent to the billions of US dollars level). Regarding the budget reduction from 1.3 billion euros to less than 1 billion euros, Rheinmetall explained that the upgrade of the Netherlands' air defense capabilities also includes related services provided by other suppliers, and the contract reserves room for subsequent expansion. In January this year, Dutch State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman revealed to parliament plans to purchase 22 mobile Skyranger air defense guns.

  In terms of production and supply chain, the Netherlands has signed an agreement with Rheinmetall Switzerland, which will be responsible for building the first 3 prototypes. Rheinmetall's factory in Ede, the Netherlands, will play a "key role" in the project, undertaking the production and assembly of the remaining systems and vehicle integration. It may also be responsible for maintenance and spare parts supply in the future. This arrangement not only ensures delivery efficiency but also deepens the participation of the local defense industry.

  This procurement is not only an upgrade of the Netherlands' own defense capabilities but also reflects the trend of European countries collaborating to respond to new security threats under the NATO framework. With the rapid proliferation of drone technology, traditional air defense systems are facing severe challenges. The multi-scenario adaptability of the Skyranger system and the cross-enterprise and cross-border cooperation model provide a replicable model for European anti-drone defense. In the future, as more NATO countries may follow up with purchases, this anti-drone system is expected to become an important part of Europe's collective defense system, helping to build a more resilient air security barrier.

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Post time:Sep-25-2020