Ukraine is set to receive a newly-developed ground-based air defense system from the UK as part of its efforts to strengthen defenses against ongoing Russian attacks. The UK announced on Thursday that a total of 15 Gravehawk systems will be delivered to Ukraine this year, as part of a record defense aid package worth 4.5 billion pounds ($5.51 billion), which includes both aid and loans. This initiative has been co-funded by Denmark.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s security, stating, “Ukraine’s security is our security. We must continue to do everything possible to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest position – that is why the UK is going further than ever before, ramping up military and humanitarian support.” He noted the unwavering support from the British people and highlighted that UK firms are contributing to enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities.
The Gravehawk system, described as being the size of a shipping container, employs a variety of air-to-air missiles, including those already present in the arsenal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to a UK government press release, “With Ukraine under constant Russian bombardment, the Gravehawk system will boost Ukraine’s air defenses, allowing them to defend their cities, troops, and critical infrastructure.” Two prototypes of the Gravehawk system have already been tested in Ukraine as of September.
This new delivery will augment Ukraine’s existing short-range air defense systems, which currently range from basic anti-aircraft guns to the more sophisticated, though limited in availability, NASAMS.
In addition to the Gravehawk systems, Ukraine has previously received air defense solutions in 2023, including a similar mobile air defense system consisting of a modified SupaCat truck-based launcher equipped with AIM-132 ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles. The country has also acquired several SupaCat-based systems that launch Brimstone-2 air-to-ground, anti-armor missiles.
Further improvisations include the Pentagon-initiated FrankenSAM air defense solution, which is composed of various donated parts from different air defense systems to address Ukraine’s immediate short-range air defense needs. However, it’s worth noting that of the promised eight NASAMS systems from the US, only a couple have been delivered by early last year, primarily due to production backlogs and increasing global demand for the Raytheon-Kongsberg system.
