UK's new Gravehawk missile system bolsters Ukraine’s air defenses amid shifting Western support
By isabelle // 2025-02-15
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  • The UK has delivered the innovative Gravehawk surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine, repurposing Soviet-era R-73 missiles to counter Russian drones and cruise missiles.
  • The portable, containerized system is immune to Russian electronic warfare and has already been deployed in combat, with more units expected.
  • Western military aid faces uncertainty, with the U.S. signaling a shift in priorities and urging Europe to take greater responsibility for Ukraine’s defense.
  • US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth dismissed NATO membership for Ukraine as unrealistic, calling for a focus on ending the conflict.
  • President Trump and Russian President Putin have initiated talks for potential peace negotiations, raising concerns in Kyiv about territorial concessions.
As the war in Ukraine approaches its third year, the United Kingdom has unveiled its latest military contribution to Kyiv’s fight against Russian aggression: the Gravehawk surface-to-air missile system. This innovative, containerized defense system, developed in collaboration with Denmark, repurposes Soviet-era R-73 air-to-air missiles to target Russian drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft. While the Gravehawk represents a significant boost to Ukraine’s air defenses, its deployment comes amid growing uncertainty over the future of Western military aid, particularly from the United States. The Gravehawk system, developed by the UK’s Taskforce Kindred and private contractors over 18 months at a cost of £6 million ($7.5 million), is part of a broader effort to address Ukraine’s urgent need for air defense. The system fits inside a modified ISO shipping container with a retractable roof, making it both portable and discreet. It uses infrared cameras to detect and track targets, firing R-73 missiles—originally designed for Soviet fighter jets—at speeds of up to Mach 2.5. The R-73’s high-off-boresight (HOBS) capability allows it to engage dynamic targets with minimal sensor assistance, making it particularly effective against Russia’s kamikaze drones and cruise missiles. “You’re taking old-school Soviet missiles and you’re taking stuff off the shelf and you are putting it together—it’s very unique and innovative in that sense,” a U.S. defense source told The Times. Two Gravehawk systems have already been delivered to Ukraine and used in combat, with 15 more expected to follow. The system’s passive infrared sensors make it immune to Russian electronic warfare, a critical advantage in the ongoing conflict.

Western aid under scrutiny

The Gravehawk’s deployment comes as Western support for Ukraine faces increasing scrutiny. The UK has pledged £4.5 billion ($5.6 billion) in additional military aid this year, bringing its total contribution to £8.4 billion. However, the U.S., Ukraine’s largest benefactor, has signaled a shift in priorities. During a recent meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth dismissed the idea of NATO membership for Ukraine and called the goal of restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders “unrealistic.” Hegseth emphasized that Europe must take greater responsibility for Ukraine’s defense, echoing President Donald Trump’s call for NATO members to increase military spending to 5% of their GDP. “The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome for a negotiated settlement,” Hegseth said. “Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering.”

Negotiations on the horizon?

Amid these developments, President Trump has signaled a potential diplomatic breakthrough. Following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump announced plans to begin negotiations to end the war. “We each talked about the strengths of our respective nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together,” Trump said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described his own call with Trump as “meaningful” and focused on “opportunities to achieve peace.” However, Zelensky has expressed concerns about decisions being made without Kyiv’s involvement, particularly regarding territorial concessions. The Gravehawk system is a testament to Western ingenuity. However, with peace talks on the horizon, the hope is that this conflict—and the immense financial and human costs it has incurred—will soon come to an end. Sources for this article include: TWZ.com TheTimes.com News.Antiwar.com Axios.com
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