Rheinmetall wants to produce a hybrid tank and anti-aircraft defense in Ukraine to increase the air defense effectiveness for ground forces.

According to Bild, Rheinmetall has integrated a 35mm Skyranger short range air defense turret onto a Leopard tank chassis, rather than the original Skynex mobile, modular anti-aircraft artillery system. This will provide a lower cost system that is able to move over rugged terrain with other heavy-tracked armored vehicles, making it a full-fledged air defense system for ground forces.

Rheinmetall noted that it has many Leopard 1 tanks that can be fitted with Skyranger towers, as well as additional equipment that can be used to detect and track targets. Another advantage is that this solution will allow a greater number of ready-to-launch missiles in the launcher.

Currently, the Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine primarily repairs Leopard 1 tanks and Marder IFVs that have been damaged in battle.