The United Kingdom (U.K.) Ministry of Defence (MOD) recently featured the Raven air defense system in a video on its official YouTube channel, offering a glimpse into how this cutting-edge system has become a vital component of Ukraine’s air defence network.
The video features Colonel Olly Todd from Task Force Kindred, offering an overview of the Raven system’s development and its operational effectiveness.
The MOD video reveals that the Raven system, also known as Frankensam, was designed in late 2022 by a U.K. team, which includes the Royal Air Force’s Air and Space Warfare Centre, Missile Systems Business Development Agency, and Defence Equipment and Support.
The system is based on the HMT 600 Supercat vehicle and uses two Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM), originally designed for launch from aircraft.
“It’s an amazing system which combines the HMT 600 Supercat vehicle with an advanced short range air to air missile, the ASRAAM missile, which has turned into one of the most effective short range air defense systems in use in Ukraine at the moment,” said Todd.
Footage of a UK-supplied ASRAAM SAM system in Ukrainian service engaging a Russian drone. pic.twitter.com/XPsZLLsVL1
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According to Todd, Raven uses missiles and parts that were no longer needed by the U.K. military. “These were missiles… otherwise planned for disposal,” he said. “Support to Ukraine has not been at the expense of U.K. operations or readiness.”
Raven was first deployed to Ukraine in the spring of 2023. Todd said since then, the system has launched over 400 missiles at aerial targets, boasting an estimated success rate of 70%. In some areas, it has reached up to 90% effectiveness.
Since 2023, the U.K. has delivered eight Raven systems to Ukrainian forces, with five more currently being prepared for transfer, bringing the total to 13 units, according to Todd.
