UK To Provide MSI TerraHawk Paladin VSHORAD Systems to Ukraine
The MSI TerraHawk Paladin very short range air defense system is to be sent to Ukraine as part of a major new supply package recently promised by UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps to aid the ongoing counter-offensive in a deal worth more than £70 million ($85.4 million).
The TerraHawk, designed by UK-based MSI-Defense Systems LTD, is a modular remote-controlled, and re-deployable platform. Designed to defend against close-range land, air, and maritime threats, it uses 30×173 mm NATO standard ammunition. It uses a gun mounting that is also used on Royal Navy ships known as the SeaHawk. MSI details the capabilities of TerraHawk further:
“The system can be deployed as a singleton for point defence roles, or as part of a network under a Combat Management System for wider area defence. This enables the MSI-DS TERRAHAWK PALADIN to capably fulfil a wide range of field roles such as protecting high value targets, critical infrastructure, vulnerable points, as well as a force multiplier for coastal and border protection.”
The TerraHawk is expected to take its place within Ukraine’s pre-established anti-drone capability. The system already having been trialled for this purpose by MSI in 2020 using 30mm airburst ammunition from its Mk44 Bushmaster II autocannon. With an onboard SATOS sighting system providing accurate fire for the crew of the system. Four radar antennas are also implemented which gives TerraHawk an all-around surveillance of the airspace it covers. A minimum crew of two are needed to operate the system.
TerraHawk Paladin joins Ukraine’s complex ecosystem of air defense systems which ranges from the highly capable long range Patriot to man portable systems like the Stinger. With Winter approaching Russia will inevitably seek to target more of Ukraine’s key energy infrastructure with missiles and Shahed-136/Geran-2s. Additionally, in recent weeks, improved Lancet loitering munitions with longer range have reportedly struck Ukrainian airfields. The TerraHawk Paladin could offer valuable point defense against these threats.
TerraHawk will be included as part of the ongoing support package for Ukraine using money from the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) which was created by the United Kingdom and Denmark in 2023 and now consists of the aid of Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Iceland and Lithuania. To date, £785 million ($957 million) has been raised to help aid Ukraine militarily and non-militarily since Russia’s invasion of the country in 2022.
Grant Shapps announced the new aid package in early October, it forms part of the final contract of the IFU package. Refering back to his recent visit to Kyiv Shapps said: “I assured President Zelenskyy that the UK’s support for Ukraine and their most urgent needs is unwavering.”
The IFU package also will include equipment to help clear minefields and bridging equipment. As well as material to help build defensive positions to protect Ukrainian infrastructure vital to their war effort. Shapps noted that he was pleased that the UK could deliver further air defense systems, adding:
“I am proud to announce that the UK, alongside our allies, is delivering on that promise with new contracts to provide Ukraine with critical air defence systems to protect civilians from Putin’s barbaric bombing campaign, and more than £100 million of new equipment pledged to give Ukrainian soldiers what they need to breach Russia’s deadly minefields.”
Previously, the UK has provided Ukraine with several short range air defense systems based on the AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) air-to-air missile. These systems are mounted on specially adapted Supacat High Mobility Transporters.