The United Kingdom has officially introduced the Gravehawk air defense system, a newly developed surface-to-air missile system specifically designed to enhance Ukraine’s capabilities against aerial threats.
The system was unveiled by UK defense officials, with its first images published by Forces News.
Developed in just 18 months at a cost of £6 million, Gravehawk is designed to counter a range of airborne threats, including drones, cruise missiles, and enemy aircraft.
The system is equipped with two modified R-73 infrared-guided air-to-air missiles, repurposed for ground-based deployment. Mounted on a military truck chassis, Gravehawk offers mobility and rapid deployment for frontline air defense operations.
🇬🇧🇩🇰🇺🇦 The UK’s military news network Forces News has provided us the first look at the Gravehawk Short Range Air Defence system that is capable of launching Soviet-legacy R-73 Air to Air missiles from a ground-based platform that fits inside of a 20-foot shipping container.
— Jeff2146🇧🇪 (@Jeff21461) February 12, 2025
According to UK defense sources, Gravehawk’s infrared (IR) targeting system provides a distinct operational advantage. Unlike radar-based systems that emit signals detectable by enemy forces, IR tracking allows Gravehawk to engage targets without revealing its position, making it significantly harder to counter.
Gravehawk was developed under the UK Ministry of Defence’s Taskforce Kindred, an initiative responsible for accelerating the delivery of weapons and equipment to Ukraine. A number of UK defense firms contributed to the project, but their identities remain classified for security reasons.
The system’s crew consists of five personnel, and each unit has an estimated production cost of £1 million. Its primary role is to intercept and neutralize large drones, such as the Iranian-made Shahed loitering munitions used by Russian forces, as well as enemy fighter jets and missile threats.