The United Kingdom has announced the delivery of a newly developed air defense system to Ukraine, designed to bolster the country’s ability to protect its cities from aerial attacks. Dubbed the “Gravehawk,” the system adapts existing air-to-air missiles for ground-launch use and will be operational this year, according to UK officials.
The announcement coincided with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Kyiv, where he also unveiled a proposed 100-year treaty with Ukraine. Details of the treaty, signed with President Volodymyr Zelensky, will be debated in the UK Parliament in the coming weeks.
Gravehawk: An Innovative Defense Solution
Gravehawk was developed by a British company with joint funding from the UK and Denmark to meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs. This mobile air defense system is container-sized and allows the retrofitting of air-to-air missiles for ground-based operations. It is designed to work with Ukrainian missiles already in stock, as well as UK-provided weaponry.
Prototypes of the system were tested in Ukraine last year, and 15 production units are set to be delivered in 2024. Although specifics about Gravehawk remain undisclosed, defense experts suggest it could resemble previously observed systems like “FrankenSAM.” These improvised setups reportedly use British-made ASRAAM or Soviet-designed R-73 missiles mounted on truck chassis. Such missiles, being infrared-guided, require minimal ground infrastructure to operate, though their range may be limited to a few miles due to the energy required for ground launches.
Additional Support for Ukraine
The UK also announced a £4.5 billion aid package for Ukraine in 2025, which includes drones, artillery barrels, and other essential military equipment. Plans to expand officer training exchanges between the two nations were also revealed, allowing Ukrainian cadets to train at Sandhurst in England while British officers gain first-hand experience in Ukrainian theaters of war.
These initiatives underline the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine against ongoing aggression, while fostering long-term defense collaboration.
