Germany has introduced the SCILT Naval active counter-drone system as a new close-range defensive capability for maritime forces. Developed by Fulda-based Mehler Protection, the system is intended to serve as a final defensive layer against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that may approach within the engagement zone of a ship and cannot be immediately addressed by larger air-defense systems. SCILT Naval is designed to provide a rapid response against incoming drone threats at short range. The system operates through three alert levels covering detection, approach, and engagement. This layered process allows the system to track a potential threat as it moves closer before initiating the appropriate response. One of the system’s key characteristics is its ability to employ different types of ammunition depending on the threat and engagement requirements. These include armor-piercing rounds, fragmentation ammunition, and shotgun rounds. The combination is intended to give maritime operators multiple options for defeating inbound UAVs. By positioning SCILT Naval as a last line of defense, Germany is seeking to address the growing challenge posed by small drones that may be difficult to counter using conventional, larger-scale air-defense systems.
