The Dutch Ministry of Defence announced on December 11, 2025, the acquisition of the new Skyranger 30 air defense systems, developed by Rheinmetall, with the aim of strengthening defenses against drones and low-altitude aerial threats. The contract, also confirmed by the German company, marks a decisive step in the modernization of Dutch air defense capabilities, which have lacked a direct replacement in the short-range mobile anti-aircraft artillery segment since the PRTL Cheetah systems were retired in 2006.
The Skyranger 30 is a short-range air defense system that combines a 30 mm automatic cannon with advanced sensors and the ability to integrate surface-to-air missiles. It is designed to neutralize drones, low radar cross-section aircraft, and emerging threats on the modern battlefield.
As reported in February 2025, the Dutch Skyranger 30 systems will be integrated onto ACSV (Armored Combat Support Vehicle) platforms, providing tactical mobility and additional protection. This integration ensures that units can operate alongside mechanized brigades and be rapidly deployed in high-intensity scenarios.
The announcement carries a strong symbolic component, as the Skyranger 30 will act as the replacement for the PRTL Cheetah systems that were retired in 2006. These vehicles, based on the Leopard 1 chassis and armed with twin 35 mm cannons, had been one of the pillars of Dutch air defense for decades, particularly during the Cold War years.
Following their retirement, the Netherlands was left without an equivalent system, creating a gap in short-range air defense. The importance of the Cheetah systems is reflected in the fact that the United States even acquired units that had been sold to Jordan in 2023 for transfer to Ukraine, demonstrating the continued relevance of the mobile anti-aircraft artillery concept on the modern battlefield. Finally, the last Skyranger 30 systems are expected to be delivered to the army no later than 2029.
A broader plan: NASAMS
The purchase of the Skyranger 30 is complemented by the broader Dutch air defense plan, which includes the acquisition of NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) and NOMADS, confirmed in November 2024. These systems, developed by Kongsberg and Raytheon, provide medium-range air defense and are integrated into a multi-layered architecture alongside the Skyranger 30, creating a protective umbrella against drones, cruise missiles, and hostile aircraft.
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