Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems have reached the next crucial milestone in their strategic partnership. Following the cooperation agreement signed in June 2026 at the ILA Berlin, the operational capabilities of the SkyStriker system were successfully demonstrated in a comprehensive live demonstration in early September 2026.
The demonstration focused on the long range and endurance of the system, including the “hand-over” function, which was successfully executed at a distance of 80 km. The system demonstrated its ability to autonomously detect, track, and engage targets with the highest precision. During the live demonstration, SkyStriker was launched from a canister to reconnoiter, track, and subsequently successfully strike a prepared target. Cooperation with the SkyLark 1 eVTOL reconnaissance drone also proceeded smoothly. This highlights the system’s seamless integration into complex ISR UAV networks and the associated capabilities for highly specialized “Seek & Strike” missions.
The SkyStriker system is a latest-generation, electrically powered loitering munition specifically developed for tactical precision strikes over long distances. With a range of over 200 km and a loiter time of more than two hours, the system covers a broad spectrum of mission requirements. Thanks to its electric propulsion system, the system also features an extremely low acoustic and thermal signature, making it difficult to detect.
SkyStriker is already a battle-proven, successful system in use in various countries. Thanks to high-resolution video reconnaissance and the ability to autonomously track targets - enabling precise, effective engagement—collateral damage can be minimized. Thanks to its high operational flexibility, SkyStriker can be launched from a wide variety of platforms - including ground vehicles, containers, aircraft, and the EuroPULS rocket artillery system, which is relevant to the German Armed Forces and other European countries. This enables the armed forces to make optimal use of the ISR and attack capabilities of the system.
“The successful demonstration confirms the technological maturity and enormous versatility of the SkyStriker system. For Diehl Defence, it is a decisive step to demonstrate the synergies between our systems and the requirements of modern armed forces directly on the ground. We are proud to be working with Elbit Systems to lay the groundwork for state-of-the-art, local production in Germany in order to strengthen European defense capabilities in the long term,” explained Gunnar Pappert, Head of the Army Systems Product Division at Diehl Defence.
Marian Rachow, CEO of Elbit Systems Deutschland, added: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our SkyStriker here and to offer it to various nations to meet their individual needs. Our system is already setting the standard for future long-range loitering munitions. This demonstration marks another milestone for the SkyStriker in Europe and on the path to German production.”
The collaboration between Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems aims to meet the growing demand for state-of-the-art, autonomous systems in Germany and if awarded relevant programs, to establish German production capabilities. While Elbit Systems drives strategic market development, Diehl Defence handles manufacturing, assembly, integration, and qualification directly in Germany.
