Rheinmetall Showcases Integrated Counter-UAS Capabilities at Finnish GBAD Demo Days
Rheinmetall showcased its Skyspotter-based counter-UAS capabilities at Finland’s GBAD Demo Days in Lohtaja, demonstrating mobile, integrated solutions for detecting and defeating small unmanned aerial threats under realistic conditions.
Rheinmetall has successfully demonstrated its counter-small unmanned aerial systems (c-sUAS) capabilities during the Ground-based Air Defence (GBAD) Demo Days held at the Lohtaja firing range in Finland, following an invitation from the Inspector of Air Defence of the Finnish Armed Forces.
Despite demanding weather conditions and the remote forest environment, Rheinmetall delivered a comprehensive live demonstration highlighting the operational maturity of its counter-drone technologies. The event featured a broad threat spectrum, including jet-powered drones and small quadcopters, with Rheinmetall systems proving effective across different airspaces and flight profiles. Close coordination with the Finnish Armed Forces and organiser XD Solution further underlined the readiness of the demonstrated solutions.
The centrepiece of Rheinmetall’s presentation was Skyspotter, the company’s multi-sensor early warning and reconnaissance system designed for the detection, classification and tracking of airborne threats. Skyspotter is intended to protect critical infrastructure and large-area assets against drone attacks and is built on an open architecture, allowing the integration of various sensors and effectors tailored to specific threat scenarios.
In cooperation with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH, a rapidly deployable Skyspotter configuration mounted on a Rheinmetall HX truck was also showcased. This mobile setup demonstrated the flexibility and scalability of Rheinmetall’s system architecture, enabling quick deployment in forward or remote operating areas.
During the live trials, Rheinmetall presented a fully integrated counter-UAS system combining Skyspotter, multiple dislocated Passive Emitter Locator sensors, and a specialised, rapidly deployable command-and-control shelter. This configuration enables effective command and control from a protected distance, enhancing operator safety while maintaining situational awareness and response speed.
Skyspotter can be integrated with a range of effectors, including directional jammers, interceptor drones, and Rheinmetall’s highly flexible 30mm Revolver Gun, currently in the conceptual phase. The latter is designed to employ programmable KETF (kinetic energy time fuze) ammunition, relying purely on kinetic impact rather than explosive effects.
Commenting on the demonstration, Oliver Dürr, Head of Rheinmetall’s Electronic Solutions Division, emphasised the importance of cooperation:
“The GBAD Demo Days 2025 clearly demonstrated the value of partnership-based collaboration in advancing modern air defence capabilities. We thank the Finnish Armed Forces for the invitation and excellent cooperation, as well as our industry partners and our Finnish partner Oy Telva. Their expertise and commitment were key to successfully demonstrating our systems under realistic operational conditions.”
The demonstration in Finland reinforces Rheinmetall’s position as a key supplier of integrated, mobile and scalable counter-UAS solutions for modern armed forces facing an increasingly complex drone threat environment.
