The UK has already provided eight Raven air defense systems to Ukraine, which are effectively intercepting Shahed drones at present. Additionally, five more of these systems are being readied for shipment to bolster Ukraine’s aerial defenses, as reported by the British Forces Broadcasting Service.
The UK has disclosed information regarding the covert air defense systems dispatched to Ukraine. This system is formally called Raven; however, it is sometimes referred to as Frankensam.
About Raven
As per the British Forces Broadcasting Service, the development of this system took only four months under the direction of the Air and Space Warfare Centre of the Royal Air Force. They suggested utilizing an existing Supercat HMT-600 chassis as a platform for mounting short-range ASRAAM air-to-air missiles.
To develop this system, experts from the Royal Air Force worked closely alongside MBDA UK, who created and produce the ASRAAM missile, along with Supercat, which designs and builds the modular vehicles.
When Raven showed up in Ukraine
In the spring of 2023, Raven made its debut in Ukraine. From that point onward, the system has fired more than 400 missiles at Shahed 136 drones. The reported success rate stands at around 70%.
The UK has delivered eight such systems to Ukraine, with five more systems currently being prepared for delivery.
The British Forces Broadcasting Service mentioned that the training for Ukrainian operators included participation from 40 military members. After mastering the system, these service members went back to Ukraine where they educated additional forces on how to utilize it effectively.
How Raven air defense works
The primary armament for addressing airborne threats within the Raven system is the ASRAAM missile. Weighing 88 kilograms, this projectile has the capability to achieve a top speed of Mach 3.
The missile boasts an operational distance of approximately 15 kilometers when fired from land (more than 25 kilometers when discharged from an airplane). The 10-kilogram warhead proves potent against various airborne objectives, such as unmanned vehicles and combat planes.
As noted by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, the British system has become increasingly vital for defending Ukraine from Russian attacks due to the increased number of attacks on Ukraine and complications in supplying US Patriot systems.
UK’s aid to Ukraine
At the beginning of this year, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK would deliver more artillery to Ukraine within a few weeks.
He also said that the supply of a new air defense system was being prepared.
The UK was one of the first NATO countries to support Ukraine at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Later, the UK organized training for Ukrainian troops and provided military equipment, including tanks, artillery, and armored vehicles.
Additionally, on January 16, Starmer inked a landmark accord with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to establish a century-long alliance between their respective nations.
To learn more specifics regarding this accord, consult RBC-Ukraine’s report.
