Indian Army Trials Oerlikon Skyshield: Next-Gen Air Defence for Forward Bases
On November 24, 2025, the Indian Army commenced live-fire trials of Rheinmetall-Oerlikon’s Skyshield 35 mm air defence system at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. This marks the first time the highly automated, cannon-based short-range air defence (SHORAD) platform is being evaluated by India for protection of forward bases, artillery positions, and mechanised columns against drone swarms, loitering munitions, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.
Why Skyshield Entered the Indian Radar
The 2022–2025 period witnessed an explosion in drone and loitering munition usage along both western and northern borders. Legacy 40 mm L-70 and ZU-23-2 guns, while numerous in inventory, lack the reaction speed, accuracy, and networked fire-control to counter modern threats. The Army’s existing SHORAD gap became starkly visible during the attempted swarm attack on Pathankot (2024) and repeated Pakistani drone incursions over Punjab.
Skyshield offers a radically different approach: a fully digital, 35 mm Ahead (Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction) ammunition-based system that fires programmable air-burst rounds at 1,000 rounds/min with a lethal range of 4–5 km. Each round releases 152 tungsten projectiles at the optimal point, creating a shotgun-like cloud that shreds drones and missiles.
• Calibre: 35×228 mm AHEAD ammunition
• Effective Range: 4–5 km against air targets, 8 km ground mode
• Rate of Fire: 1,000 rds/min per gun
• Engagement Envelope: 0–4 km altitude, 360° coverage
• Reaction Time: <4.5 seconds from detection to engagement
• Sensors: X-band AESA search radar + Ka-band tracking radar + EO/IR
• Simultaneous Targets: Up to 20
• Mobility: 8×8 high-mobility truck or static deployment
• Proposed Quantity: 12 batteries (72 guns + command vehicles)
Trial Scope and Performance So Far
The ongoing trials involve two complete Skyshield batteries loaned by Rheinmetall Air Defence (Switzerland). Over 300 rounds have been fired at Banshee Jet-80 target drones simulating Shahed-136-type loitering munitions and Orlan-10 UAVs. Sources indicate a single-shot kill probability exceeding 92% against Group-1 and Group-2 drones at 3.5 km range.
Unique to these trials is the integration attempt with the Indian Army’s IACCS (Integrated Air Command & Control System) and Akash-NG batteries, demonstrating networked fire control. The Skyshield fire-control unit successfully handed over targets to an Akash-NG launcher during one live shoot, proving layered defence interoperability.
Indigenous Content & Production Plan
Rheinmetall has committed to 60% local production through a joint venture with Bharat Forge and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The guns, fire-control computers, and AHEAD ammunition will be manufactured at the Kalyani-Rheinmetall facility in Pune, while BEL will integrate radars and battle-management software. This pushes the indigenous content to 60% from day one, rising to 75% within five years.
The proposed ₹2,100 crore (≈$250 million) deal for 12 batteries includes full ToT for AHEAD ammunition — a technology previously restricted even to NATO partners.
Related reading: Indigenous Shield: Army and IAF Set to Deploy 16 Anti-Drone Systems with 2-km Laser Interception
Operational Deployment Roadmap
- Northern Command: 6 batteries for Ladakh & eastern Ladakh (protection of DBO, Chushul, artillery grids)
- Western Command: 4 batteries for Punjab & Rajasthan border (countering Pakistani drone corridor)
- South-Western Command: 2 batteries for desert sector mechanised forces
- Reserve: 2 batteries for rapid reaction force
- Indigenous Shield: Army and IAF Set to Deploy 16 Anti-Drone Systems
- Mitra Shakti 2025: Joint Drills & Air Defence Cooperation
Each battery comprises six 35 mm revolver cannons, one X-Tar 3D search radar, and a Skyranger command vehicle, providing 360° coverage for an area of ≈80 km².
Comparison with Alternatives
Skyshield was shortlisted over South Korean K30 Biho, Russian Pantsir-S1M (sanction concerns), and indigenous Akash Prime (limited anti-drone capability). Its primary advantage is cost-per-kill: a single AHEAD round costs ≈₹35,000 versus ₹4–6 crore for a missile, making it ideal for saturation attacks.
Future Evolution
Rheinmetall has already offered the Skyranger 35 variant (gun mounted on 8×8 Boxer vehicle) and integration with high-energy laser modules (50 kW) by 2028–29, creating a hybrid cannon-laser shield — a concept the Indian Army is keenly studying under Project Kusha follow-on.
Conclusion
The Skyshield trials represent the Indian Army’s urgent shift from legacy point-defence guns to networked, programmable-ammunition systems capable of handling the drone deluge of modern warfare. If inducted, Skyshield will form the middle layer between man-portable lasers (1–2 km) and Akash-NG/QRSAM (15–30 km) — finally giving forward troops a credible, affordable shield against the most pervasive threat of the decade.
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