The Italian Army has officially taken delivery of its first Rheinmetall Skynex short-range air defense system, introducing a modern, networked gun-based capability designed to counter drones and low-flying threats. Delivered under a €73 million contract signed in January 2025, the system was handed over during a ceremony in Sabaudia, signaling Italy’s commitment to strengthening close-in air defense. Italy is the first NATO country to deploy Skynex in a configuration pairing the 35 mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 with Rheinmetall’s X-TAR3D radar, reflecting a shift toward cost-effective counter-UAS and C-RAM solutions. Skynex is built around the Skymaster battle management system, which integrates data from multiple sensors to create a unified air picture. The X-TAR3D radar can detect and classify a wide range of aerial threats at distances of up to 50 kilometers. Each fire unit typically includes a command element, radar, and up to four Revolver Gun Mk3 systems capable of engaging targets within roughly 4 kilometers. The guns fire AHEAD air-burst ammunition that disperses sub-projectiles in front of the target, forming a lethal fragment wall. This approach offers a significantly lower cost per engagement compared to missile-based systems, making it particularly suitable for defending against large numbers of inexpensive drones. The accelerated delivery of the first Skynex battery reflects heightened European demand for short-range air defense, influenced by operational lessons from Ukraine, where similar systems have been used to protect cities and critical infrastructure.
