Gravehawk is a British short range air defence system that was primarily developed for the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War. It was first mentioned as part of a package of military aid in January 2025, before being publicly unveiled a month later. Two prototypes were field tested in September 2024, with a further 15 systems to be delivered.[1] The development was led by Team Kindred, a collaboration between the UK Ministry of Defence and industry partners, with funding also provided by Denmark.

Characteristics

As a short range air defence (SHORAD) system, Gravehawk is primarily designed to counter drones, but it can also be used against other low and medium-altitude airborne threats, such as helicopters, loitering munitions and cruise missiles.[2] It is a containerized system, housed in an ISO standard 20 ft (6.1 m) shipping container, which can be loaded onto a wide-range of hook-loading trucks for discrete and rapid deployability. It comprises a twin-arm missile launcher and an electro-optical/infrared targeting camera, which is remotely-operated by a crew of five from a concealable portable control unit. To reduce costs and ease logistics, the system is designed to use missiles already in the Ukrainian Armed Forces inventory, specifically the R-73 short-range air-to-air missile. To achieve this compatibility, the system reuses missile launch rails from Ukrainian Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft.[3][2]

History

Gravehawk was rapidly developed to meet an urgent operational need to increase Ukraine's air defences following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly to address the threat of Russian drones, loitering munitions and cruise missiles. It was developed over 18 months by Team Kindred, a joint team of the Ministry of Defence and industry partners.[4] In September 2024, two systems were built and delivered for field testing at a cost of £6 million, funded by the UK. The positive response to these trials prompted a request from Ukraine for additional systems.[5] According to the Ministry of Defence, another 15 units are planned for delivery at an estimated cost of £14 million, with the costs evenly split between the UK and Denmark.[6]

The system was first showcased to the media in February 2025, after being listed in a package of military aid in January. Official press releases did not disclose the participating industry partners, however a statement from Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed the systems were produced by BAE Systems.[7]

It is the second bespoke air defence system developed by the UK for Ukraine, following the surface-launched ASRAAM system.

Operators

Current operators

 Ukraine

References

  1. ^ "£4.5 billion military boost to Ukraine front line to support UK growth and jobs". GOV.UK. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Exclusive: How UK Transformed Old Soviet-Made R-73 Missiles into Ukraine's Gravehawk Air Defense System". Army Recognition. 16 February 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  3. ^ "First Pictures of UK Developed R-73 Compatible Gravehawk Surface to Air Missile System for Ukraine". The Aviationist. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  4. ^ "British innovation and Soviet-designed missiles help Ukraine take the fight to Russia". Forces News. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  5. ^ "Ukraine: Guided Weapons Ministry of Defence written question – answered at on 3 March 2025". Parliament. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  6. ^ "Guided Weapons: Procurement". Parliament. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  7. ^ "UK-Ukraine 100-year Partnership - Statement". Parliament. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravehawk
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