German Firm Hensoldt Wins Big Radar Contract For Skyranger Tank Gun

A leading German sensor specialist has bagged a €100 million contract to supply air defence radar systems for use in Rheinmetall's new Skyranger 30 anti-aircraft gun tank.

Hensoldt has been chosen by the  fellow German defence manufacturer to supply its SPEXER air defence radar for the new tank turret for the German army; the Bundeswehr has ordered 19 systems mounted on Rheinmetall's GTK Boxer vehicles.

Hensoldt's press release described the SDPEXER 2000 system as "a radar whose high detection performance will enable the effectors of the new FlakPz to develop their full potential. The decisive factor here is the extraordinarily high quality of target classification and the ability to precisely track targets even while on the move or in flight."

The Skyranger 30 system is a short-range air defence turret developed by Rheinmetall and capable of firing up to 1,200 rounds per minute; it can elevate skywards to 85° and fires airburst munition. It can also integrate short-range missiles.

The Hensoldt radars now ordered will be used to equip the Skyranger tanks of Germany and Austria; Denmark has also announced a corresponding procurement. The German Skyranger 30 is based on the GTK Boxer, additionally equipped with the Stinger guided missile.

The Austrian system is based on the Pandur Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). In addition to the 30mm revolver cannon, the Austrian Skyranger 30 will be equipped with the Mistral guided missile. The Danish version is set to be mounted on the Mowag Piranha V Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

Hensoldt is a multinational firm based in Taufkirchen near Munich. Founded in 2017 and named after 19th-century optics pioneer Moritz Hensoldt, the company develops complete sensor solutions for defence and security applications. In 2023, Hensoldt achieved a turnover of €1.85 billion. Following the acquisition of ESG GmbH, the company employs around 8,000 people.

Read more on the Hensoldt website