The German company Rheinmetall, under a new contract worth hundreds of millions of euros, is supplying Ukraine with additional Skyranger 35 air defense turret systems based on Leopard 1 tanks. This is stated in the company's press release.
The systems will be financed by an EU member state using frozen Russian assets. The systems will be manufactured and integrated by Rheinmetall's Italian division.
"We are grateful for the trust that Ukraine has placed in us. We also thank the EU state for its support, which underlines our ongoing efforts to support Ukraine," said Rheinmetall AG CEO Armin Papperger.
The press release notes that the Skyranger 35 is equipped with a KDG 35/1000 revolver cannon of 35x228 caliber with a rate of fire of 1000 rounds per minute. The effective firing range is up to 4000 meters. At the same time, the shells have an air burst function, which makes it possible to hit drones and other aerial targets.
At the same time, in the future, it is also possible to install modern guided missiles on the Skyranger 35.
In September 2025, it was reported that Ukraine had allocated land for a new Rheinmetall projectile manufacturing plant. It will specialize in the production of artillery shells for the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.