What is Gravehawk, the new air defence system that could give Ukraine an edge?
As leaders gather in Paris to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and Russia, there's optimism that a new defence system could give Ukrainian forces a strategic advantage.
The Gravehawk, a UK and Denmark-designed air defence system, the size of a shipping container, retrofits air missiles for "ground-based air defence".
The UK government says this means Ukrainians can utilise the weapons they already possess.
According to the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), the system uses the Soviet R-73 or AA-11 short-range air-to-air missiles, which can engage targets up to 32 kilometres.
The BFBS wrote the storage container also has a system at the very top that uses passive infrared radiation to detect its targets. These images are then transmitted to a command centre.
"With Ukraine under constant Russian bombardment, the Gravehawk system will give Ukraine a boost to their air defences, allowing them to protect their cities, troops and critical infrastructure," a government statement from earlier this year said.
Part of a multi-million-dollar equipment package to Ukraine
Two prototypes have been trialled in Ukraine and another 15 units will be arriving in 2025, the government announced in January. Ukraine used an R-73 missile to bring down a Russian helicopter in December.
According to Luke Pollard, the Defence Minister, the cost of making and sending two prototype Gravehawks to Ukraine was roughly six million pounds (seven million euros) and was "borne by the UK".
The other 15 units dedicated to Ukraine will cost $22 million (€16.8 million) and will be split between the UK and Denmark, the response continued.
According to the UK's Ministry of Defence, the 15 Gravehawks are part of the $220 million (£150 million) military equipment package announced by the British government.
The announcement includes thousands of drones, 50 armoured vehicles, and air defence gear for over 100 Ukrainian air defence groups.
Posting Komentar