UK to deliver five more Raven air defense systems to Ukraine

The UK has revealed details about the secret air defence systems sent to Ukraine. The system is officially named Raven, although the designation Frankensam is also used.

About Raven

According to the British Forces Broadcasting Service, the system was developed in just four months by the Air and Space Warfare Center of the Royal Air Force. They proposed using the available Supercat HMT-600 vehicle base to mount short-range ASRAAM air-to-air missiles on it.

To create this system, specialists from the Royal Air Force closely collaborated with MBDA UK, the developer and manufacturer of the ASRAAM missile, as well as with Supercat, the manufacturer and developer of the modular vehicle.

When Raven appeared in Ukraine

Raven first arrived in Ukraine in the spring of 2023. Since then, the system has launched over 400 missiles at Shahed 136 drones. Its overall effectiveness has been 70%.

The UK has delivered eight such systems to Ukraine, with five more systems currently being prepared for delivery.

The British Forces Broadcasting Service also reported that the training of Ukrainian operators involved 40 military personnel. These individuals became familiar with the system and, after returning to Ukraine, trained other military personnel to use it.

How Raven air defense works

The main weapon for targeting aerial threats in the Raven system is the ASRAAM missile. It weighs 88 kg and can reach a maximum speed of Mach 3.

The missile has an effective range of up to 15 km when launched from the ground (over 25 km when launched from an aircraft). Its 10 kg warhead is effective against most aerial targets, including both drones and fighter jets.

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.

It should also be added that on January 16, Starmer signed a historic agreement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a 100-year partnership between the two countries.

For more details about this agreement, read RBC-Ukraine's report.