Rheinmetall Tests Counter-Drone Systems During Finnish Military Exercise
December 16, 2025 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2025-1765886648239-1434
Rheinmetall Air Defence showcased its Skyspotter system during the Ground-based Air Defence (GBAD) Demo Days 2025 at the Lohtaja training area in western Finland. The demonstration highlighted the growing concern over drone spillovers linked to the war in Ukraine, particularly in frontline NATO states. According to AeroTime, the event allowed armed forces and industry to evaluate new air defense technologies under realistic operational conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Rheinmetall showcased its counter-drone capabilities during a Finnish Armed Forces exercise.
- The Skyspotter system detected, classified, and tracked aerial targets including fast-flying drones and small quadcopters.
- Skyspotter combines S-band and X-band radars with detection ranges of approximately 5 km and 7.5 km respectively.
- The system is designed to integrate into Rheinmetall’s wider Skynex architecture as part of a layered short-range air defense ecosystem.
Strategic Implications
This demonstration may indicate the growing attention European militaries are giving to protecting airspace from small unmanned aerial systems. The focus on integration, survivability, and networked defense suggests that counter-UAS capabilities are becoming a pressing operational requirement rather than a theoretical risk. This could lead to increased investment in modern alternatives to legacy platforms such as Germany’s Gepard.