The Netherlands is procuring 22 Skyranger 30 air-defence systems to counter unmanned aircraft systems. (Dutch MoD)
Dutch Defence Minister Gijs Tuinman announced on 29 January that his ministry was procuring 22 Skyranger 30 air-defence systems to counter unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). He hoped to sign a contract soon so that deliveries could begin in 2028.
Dutch Skyranger 30 systems will be mounted on Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs), the same platform as the National Manoeuvre Air Defence System (NOMADS) mobile ground-based short-range air-defence (SHORAD) systems that the Netherlands ordered on 21 November 2024.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on its website on 29 January that the Skyranger 30 systems will protect medium/heavy brigades. It noted that the Skyranger 30's 30 mm gun has a rate of fire of 1,250 rds/min to combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, with surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) for targets at longer ranges.
The new capability will be assigned to Joint Ground-based Air Defence Command in Vredepeel, which will therefore receive 125 additional personnel in the coming years.
In addition to Skyranger 30s, the Netherlands is procuring four NOMADS batteries, as well as missiles and simulation equipment, with deliveries also expected to take place in phases starting in 2028. The Netherlands is planning to use NOMADS to defend against attacks by fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and UAVs at a range of 15 km.
NOMADS features two launch canisters, each containing two missiles; a 3D radar; and a Kongsberg Protector remote-controlled weapon station.
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