Overview
- The leaked internal Ukrainian investigation, cited by Stern and published July 2, alleges a Skynex deployment at a western-Ukraine industrial site on April 1 failed to stop a Shahed-136 drone and recorded a local impact.
- The report describes a cascade of technical faults including hydraulic failures that affected gun stability, a tracking-radar outage and mechanical loading jams that left only two of eight 35 mm revolver guns able to track the target.
- Rheinmetall rejects the portrayal of systemic failure, points to other successful engagements and declined to disclose detailed operational logs for security reasons, while German military sources and analysts warn the small number of Skynex units in Ukraine limits firm conclusions.
- As a response to operational feedback, Rheinmetall has set up a West-Ukraine maintenance joint venture, plans to raise production through 2027 and is working with partners to integrate a longer-range interceptor for the Skynex family.
- The dispute carries practical and political stakes: it highlights how high maintenance and training demands shape field performance, risks reputational and market effects for Rheinmetall, and could influence Western sustainment, training and procurement decisions.