The Armed Forces of Ukraine shared a video of a Skynex palletised air defence system with 35 mm AHEAD ammunition shooting down UAVs launched by Russia.
This confirms the operational use of Skynex by Ukrainian forces, which took the first deliveries in 2024, according to Forbes. The Skynex unit shot down at least five Shaheed-136/Geran type kamikaze UAVs using the AHEAD airburst ammunition as seen in the footage.
Skynex is a significant leap from the Gepard SPAAGs, also supplied by Germany, which can not use the AHEAD ammunition despite the same calibre.
Using guns has taken a major role in defence from the mass of long-range kamikaze UAVs being sent by Russia, which are regularly used on critical infrastructure and civilian areas.
Skynex
Skynex is a palletised air defence system that operates as a battery supported by one or more search radars. Each gun unit uses a 35 mm revolver cannon with a firing rate of 1000 RPM and capability to use the AHEAD ammunition, which spreads sub-projectiles like a shotgun at a determined time. This makes AHEAD more effective against smaller targets like UAVs and missiles compared to traditional ammunition.
In addition to Skynex, the 35 mm revolver cannon+AHEAD ammunition duo is also available onboard the fully mobile Skyranger 35 and shipborne Millennium CIWS.
