European Militaries Focus on Protecting Airspace from Small Unmanned Aerial Systems

Rheinmetall showcased its Skyspotter counter-drone system during the Ground-based Air Defence (GBAD) Demo Days 2025 in Finland. The system combines S-band and X-band radars, electro-optical verification, and AI-assisted processing to detect, classify, and track aerial targets. A mobile configuration emphasizes deployability and support for maneuver forces. The demonstration comes amid heightened concern over drone spillovers linked to the war in Ukraine, and Rheinmetall’s system may become a key component of a layered short-range air defense ecosystem.