In the coming weeks, Britain will send the latest version of the Raven air defense system to the frontline in Ukraine, along with a batch of cheap dummies, including fake missiles with heat emitters that will look like the real thing.
Points of attention
- Britain is set to send the latest version of the Raven air defense system to Ukraine, including fake missiles with heat emitters for training purposes.
- The Raven system has proven effective against Iranian drones and cruise missiles, with an estimated 70% success rate in combat situations.
- Raven utilizes Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles and components from various aircraft to create a ground-based air defense system mounted on Supacat vehicles.
Ukraine to receive new Raven air defense system from Britain
According to Colonel of the Royal Marines Ollie Todd, early deliveries of the Raven system were used to protect the presidential palace of Volodymyr Zelensky.
It is noted that the Asraam missiles sent to Ukraine were deemed unsuitable for combat use in the UK due to strict storage conditions.
And instead of simply using them for test launches, the British military proposed the idea of integrating these missiles into a ground-based air defense system that Ukraine could use in combat conditions, Todd said.
Today, about 400 launches of this system have been carried out in Ukraine. The effectiveness against Iranian Shahed drones and cruise missiles is estimated at 70%, which makes Raven one of the most effective air defense systems in Ukraine's arsenal. Missiles can be launched remotely — using a remote control.
According to the publication, details about this system have remained secret until now.
Raven is known to use obsolete Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (Asraam) as well as old components from Hawk, Jaguar and Tornado aircraft to create a ground-based air defense system mounted on Supacat vehicles.
