Following a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed by Rheinmetall Electronics and MBDA Deutschland at ILA last year, German lawmakers approved a funding proposal to develop and deploy a miniature missile designed to combat drones inexpensively.

Known as ENFORCER Small Anti-Drone Missile (SADM), it will be fitted onto Rheinmetall-made SKYRANGER 30 anti-aircraft vehicles, filling a sensible capability gap in mobile defense against drones at short range. The new system will be complementary to the onboard 30 mm gun, which remains the primary weapon.

Based on the ENFORCER missile, the new guided missile produced by MBDA has been renamed DEFENDAIR. This system delivers a reliable defense against small and medium-sized drones, ensuring a high probability of successful engagement even at extended distances.

With this significant upgrade, the SKYRANGER 30 will offer highly efficient, mobile defense against airborne threats by combining firepower, intelligent sensor technology and high mobility, with a targeting range up to 6 km. According to Rheinmetall, the requisite SADM launcher should be fitted in the SKYRANGER 30 turret, that will able to hold 9 to 12 missiles, depending on the configuration. The new missile will feature specialized seeker capabilities and a warhead designed to counter from micro to small drones. Combined with the 30 mm gun, the missiles should allow a single SKYRANGER 30 vehicle to destroy swarms of up to 30 drones.

The German Bundestag, which must approve all military procurement projects costing €25 million or more, has greenlighted the development and acquisition of the new missile for €490 million, according to national media reports.

The Bundeswehr has confirmed that the SADM-SKYRANGER 30 tandem will be included among the systems certified within the framework of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). This initiative, introduced by the previous German Government, was established to strengthen air defense capabilities across Europe.

Follow us on Telegram, Facebook and X.