Ukraine's Air Force has released footage showing one of its most advanced weapons in action – the German-supplied Skynex system.

Filmed in an unidentified location, the video released on Sept. 25 via social media shows the air defense system engaging and destroying targets over the skies of Ukraine.

“Practical strikes have been conducted using the Skynex air defense system against various types of aerial targets … all are operating smoothly – Glory to Ukraine,” an unidentified Ukrainian soldier is seen saying in the video as other troops operate the technologically advanced system in the background.

What is Skynex?

According to its German manufacturer Rheinmetall, Skynex is a "networked air defense" that provides "a highly effective layered protection shield against a wide spectrum of air threats" and serves as "the necessary answer against saturation and swarm attacks in the future."

In short, it's a big, powerful, and highly accurate mobile gun that is very effective at shooting down drones.

Why is it needed?

Big-ticket air defense systems provided to Ukraine by Western allies like NASAMs, IRIS-T and Patriots are costly surface-to-air missiles. Hence, they are set aside to intercept Russian missiles.

Air defense systems firing multiple rounds of high-caliber bullets using sophisticated computer targeting and mechanical systems like the Skynex, in contrast, are used to protect Ukraine’s skies by intercepting drones. The Iranian-made Shahed drones deployed by Russia’s invading forces daily for strikes across Ukraine are cheap. Export versions cost around $193,000, and those made by Russia domestically cost only about $10,000-$50,000.

One NASAM missile costs from $600,000 to $1 million. A Patriot missile is nearly $4 million. A relatively cheap IRIS-T missile is still around $450,000.

Russia launches Shahed-type drones against Ukraine on an almost nightly basis. In the early hours of Sept. 26, it was reported that 78 were used in overnight attacks across the country, so using air defense missiles to shoot them down is not a financially viable option in the long term.

"One of the key features of the war is the use of relatively low-cost delivery systems such as drones," Martin J. Dougherty, weapons expert and author of "Aircraft, Tanks and Artillery of the Ukraine War," told the Kyiv Independent earlier this year.

"Defense against such weapons requires a low cost per engagement and the ability to eliminate multiple threats in a short time.

"The difficulty of detecting, tracking, and hitting such small targets is also considerable," Dougherty added.

Ukraine has relied on systems like the German-made Gepard and the more basic and not always effective tactic of shooting them down with large 50-caliber machine guns mounted on trucks.

Skynex is a middle ground between the two – a highly accurate system that can down drones more efficiently.

How does Skynex work?

Skynex is a modular system, meaning it can be configured in a variety of ways depending on the threat.

Details of those systems sent to Ukraine have not been made public, but a version featured in a Rheinmetall promotional video from 2022 would seem likely to be a candidate.

In it, an Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 – used in the Skynex system and capable of firing at a rate of 1,000 rounds per minute with a range of 4,000 meters – mounted on a truck takes out a swarm of small FPV (first-person-view) drones in a single burst of fire.

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The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

According to Rheinmetall's rather vague description, Skynex uses a variety of "sensors and effectors," as well as "one or several medium-range radars" to detect and identify the drones, all coordinated through the Oerlikon Skymaster Battle Management System.

But it's the ammunition that is key. Skynex fires 35mm Oerlikon Ahead rounds. Instead of directly striking the target, they explode just before they reach it, releasing a cluster of tungsten sub-projectiles which increases the chances of successfully destroying the drone.

Crucially, it's also relatively cheap. Taking out a target costs just over $4,000, significantly less than even the lowest price estimate of a Shahed.

According to the manufacturer, it can also, in theory, take down cruise missiles, though it's not currently known if it has done so.

"Skynex was developed to counter small, low-cost threats such as mortar rounds. This capability has transferred well to the emerging drone threat and may be essential to a layered air defense system," Dougherty said.

Is Skynex a game-changer?

As far as has been reported, Ukraine only possesses two Skynex systems, far too few to have a decisive impact on the war.

While their locations are not public, given their effectiveness, it can be safely assumed they're protecting at least two very important targets — possibly even their longer-range and more powerful big brothers.

"High-value missile systems, capable of engaging enemy aircraft at long range, may be vulnerable to attack by small, hard-to-track loitering munitions," Dougherty said.

"It may be that short-range air defense systems such as Skynex will be necessary to keep the big hitters in the game."