Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems have reached the next important milestone in their strategic partnership. Following the cooperation agreement signed at ILA Berlin in June 2026, the operational capabilities of the SkyStriker system were successfully and decisively demonstrated in a comprehensive live demonstration in early September 2026.
The focus of the demonstration was the system’s range as well as the “hand-over” function, which was successfully performed at a distance of 80 km. During this, the system demonstrated its ability to autonomously recognize, track, and engage targets with highest precision. During the live demonstration, SkyStriker was launched from a canister to reconnoiter a target, track it, and subsequently engage it successfully. The interaction with the SkyLark 1 eVTOL reconnaissance drone also proceeded smoothly. This highlights the seamless integration into complex Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) networks and the associated possibilities for highly specialized “Seek & Strike” missions.
Electrically powered litering munition
The SkyStriker system is a latest-generation, electrically powered loitering munition specifically developed for tactical precision effects over long distances. With a range of over 200 km and a loiter time of more than two hours, the system covers a wide spectrum of mission requirements. Thanks to its electric propulsion, the system also features an extremely low acoustic and thermal signature, making its detection more difficult.
SkyStriker is already a combat-proven, reliable system in various countries. Through high-resolution video reconnaissance as well as the ability for autonomous tracking and thereby precise, effective engagement, collateral damage can be minimized. Due to its high operational flexibility, SkyStriker can be launched from a wide variety of platforms — including ground vehicles, containers, aircraft, as well as the EuroPULS rocket artillery system, which is relevant to the German Armed Forces and other European nations. This enables armed forces to utilize ISR and strike capabilities.
Industry Comments:
“The successful demonstration confirms the technological maturity and immense 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-site. We are proud to work together with Elbit Systems to pave the way for highly advanced, local production in Germany, in order to sustainably strengthen European defense capabilities”, explained Gunnar Pappert, Senior Vice President Land Systems at Diehl Defence.
Marian Rachow, CEO of Elbit Systems Germany, added: “We are very pleased with the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of our SkyStriker here and to offer it to various nations to meet their individual needs. Our system is already setting the standards for future long-range loitering munitions. This demonstration is another milestone for SkyStriker in Europe and on the path toward production in Germany.”
The cooperation between Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems aims to meet the growing demand for highly advanced, autonomous systems in Germany and, in case of a requirement, to establish German production capacities. While Elbit Systems drives the strategic market development, Diehl Defence takes over manufacturing, assembly, as well as integration and qualification directly in Germany.
