Bundeswehr: Flugabwehr verspätet – Heer kauft bei Rheinmetall-Konkurrenz zu

The German military is delaying the restoration of its own air defense due to long delivery delays for the Skyranger system from Rheinmetall. These systems are urgently needed, particularly by troops stationed in Lithuania. It is reported that Dasystem's subsidiary Diehl is preparing to supply 48 drone-hunting systems to the Bundeswehr.

This GARMR system can detect drones using radar and shoot them down with its own defense drones or a machine gun. One German startup is also involved. The Bundeswehr will continue to wait for the Skyranger despite this, and there are compelling reasons for this. The Army is currently rebuilding the air defense regiment it disbanded in 2012.

The air defense unit Ozelot, which was returned to the Army in mid-October, is used to protect units in the vicinity from drones or other aerial threats. The Skyranger system, of which the Bundeswehr initially ordered 18 units, is also used for this purpose. However, the acquisition plan for up to 600 Skyrangers at a cost of around nine billion euros for the Bundeswehr has been delayed.

Originally, a battalion of Skyrangers was supposed to be in service this year. However, the schedule is likely to be delayed by two to three years. The alternatives are fast and mobile but less armored. Nevertheless, the Bundeswehr does not want to wait, as the Panzer Brigade 45, which will be permanently stationed in Lithuania and fully operational by the end of 2027, would be largely unprotected against drone threats.

Therefore, a temporary solution with Diehl is being pursued. Additionally, a contract has been signed between the Koblenz procurement office and the Munich startup Tytan Technologies for a drone defense system to protect mobile forces. It consists of a drone defense kit mounted on a Mercedes-G-class chassis. Both companies signed an understanding of future cooperation in Berlin in June, in the presence of Bundeswirtschaftsministerin Katherina Reiche (CDU).

Tytan has also been tasked by the Bundeswehr with developing a drone defense system for protecting properties. It is reported that the Bundeswehr is currently ordering six examples of the Tytan system and Mercedes for protecting mobile units. The various systems could potentially complement each other, and it is noted that one can never have enough air defense systems.