As world leaders gather in Paris to address the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, there's a glimmer of optimism that a cutting-edge military technology may provide Ukrainian forces with a crucial advantage.
The Gravehawk, a ground-based air defense system developed jointly by the United Kingdom and Denmark, measures the size of a shipping container, and is designed to equip air missiles for ground-based air defense.
The UK government has stated that this implies Ukrainians can utilize 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 kilometers.
The British Forces Broadcasting Service 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 module.
"Given that Ukraine is being bombarded by Russia on a continuous basis, the Gravehawk system will enhance Ukraine's air defenses, thereby enabling them to protect their cities, troops, and vital infrastructure," a government statement from earlier this year stated.
Part of a multimillion-dollar equipment package
Two prototypes have already been tested in Ukraine, and the government announced in January that 15 more units are scheduled for delivery in 2025. In December, Ukraine used an R-73 missile to down a Russian helicopter.
According to Luke Pollard, the armed forces minister, the cost of manufacturing and delivering two prototype Gravehawks to Ukraine was approximately £6 million (€7 million) and was "borne by the UK".
The other 15 units for Ukraine will cost £14 million, which is equivalent to €16.8 million, and will be divided between the UK and Denmark.
The UK's Ministry of Defence stated that the 15 Gravehawks are part of a £150 million (€180.3 million) military equipment package announced by the British government.
The announcement includes thousands of drones, 50 armored vehicles, and air defense equipment for over 100 Ukrainian air defense units.