Air Defense
Flakpanzer Gepard
The Flakpanzer Gepard is a West German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun built by Krauss-Maffei with an Oerlikon turret, in service since 1976. It has two 35 mm cannons on a Leopard 1 chassis and has become well known for shooting down drones over Ukraine.
Germany|Krauss-Maffei / OerlikonWhat Is the Flakpanzer Gepard? Overview, History and Development
The Gepard was built on a Leopard 1 chassis by Krauss-Maffei, with an Oerlikon-Contraves turret and two KDA 35 mm cannons. The first vehicle appeared in 1970 and service began in 1976. Combined fire is about 1,100 rds/min, effective to about 4 km, and an S-band search radar sits at the rear of the turret with a tracking radar at the front. The vehicle weighs 47.3 t, has a three-man crew and an 830 hp MTU diesel, with 65 km/h on road. Gepard 1A2 was upgraded in the 1990s with improved electronics.
About 570 were built for Germany (about 420), the Netherlands (about 95) and Belgium (about 55). Germany retired its Gepards in 2010 to 2012, and the Netherlands and Belgium retired theirs earlier. Current operators are Ukraine, Brazil, Jordan and Romania, as commonly cited, with Ukraine receiving about 50 or more ex-German and Qatari-held units from 2022. Gepards have been praised against Shahed drones and cruise missiles, with ammunition supply solved by Rheinmetall producing 35 mm rounds. Rivals include the ZSU-23-4 Shilka, Tunguska, Skynex and Skyranger 30.
Flakpanzer Gepard Specifications: Range, Altitude, Missiles and Radar
Flakpanzer Gepard Variants and Versions Compared
Gepard 1A1 is the original version in service from 1976.
Gepard 1A2 is the version upgraded in the 1990s with improved electronics.
Gepard 1A2 (Ukraine) is the version supplied to Ukraine from 2022 against drones and cruise missiles.
Which Countries Use the Flakpanzer Gepard? Operators and Users
Ukraine
Brazil
Jordan
RomaniaFlakpanzer Gepard FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many Gepard tanks does Ukraine have?
Ukraine has about 50 or more Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, according to commonly cited figures, from ex-German and Qatari-held units delivered from 2022. Exact numbers are not public.
How many Gepard were built?
About 570 Gepard vehicles were built, for Germany (about 420), the Netherlands (about 95) and Belgium (about 55). The Gepard entered service in 1976.
What is the range of the Gepard?
The Gepard has an effective range of about 4 km against air targets with its two 35 mm guns, with a nominal range up to 5.5 km. It fires about 1,100 rounds per minute.
Which countries use the Gepard?
The Gepard is used by Ukraine, Brazil, Jordan and Romania, as commonly cited. Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium have retired theirs.
Is the Gepard effective against drones?
Yes, the Gepard has been widely praised in Ukraine against Shahed and Geran drones and cruise missiles. Ammunition supply was a limiting factor until Rheinmetall started producing 35 mm rounds.
Gepard vs Skyranger: what is the difference?
The Gepard is a 1970s 47.3 t Leopard 1-based gun system with two 35 mm guns, while the Skyranger 30 is a newer Rheinmetall system. Both are used against drones, with the Skyranger offering modern sensors.
