Ukraine’s ability to defend its skies is being boosted by the delivery of a new British missile system that fits inside a shipping container.
The air defence system, known as Gravehawk, fires converted Soviet-era missiles already in the inventory of the Ukrainian armed forces.
It is designed to take out Russian drones and missiles which have bombarded Ukraine.
Gravehawk uses Cold War-era Vympel R-73 missiles, known to NATO as the AA-11 Archer, which were originally an air-to-air missile designed to be fired from aircraft such as the MiG-29.
The system, jointly funded by the UK and Denmark, was unveiled at RAF Northolt in London and costs £1m per launcher.
It has been rapidly developed, taking less than a year to go from concept to prototype delivery.
The innovative system can be moved around the battlefield inside the shipping container on the back of a lorry, known as a Drops vehicle.
On top of the container, there is an infrared camera that identifies threats.
Two Gravehawk prototypes were tested in Ukraine in 2024, with a further 15 expected to follow this year.
Meanwhile, two more new British weapons are also set to be delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Ministers have confirmed that two naval drones – known as Snapper and Wasp – are undergoing final testing.
Details on the weapons are minimal, but naval drones have been playing an increasingly crucial role in the Black Sea.
This comes as Sir Keir Starmer said Ukraine has the UK’s “concrete support… for as long as it is needed”.
He spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday morning, and said any peace talks must include Ukraine.
Zelensky says he will refuse any deal made without Ukraine’s involvement.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to begin talks to end the war, almost three years after Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says the alliance is united over ensuring Ukraine is put in the “best possible position” for peace talks.
