The UK is sending the Terrahawk Paladin platform to Ukraine, an air defense system that can track and destroy drones and protect critical national infrastructure.
Manufactured by UK-based MSI-Defence Systems, the containerized system is mounted on a NATO-standard Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System (DROPS).
The DROPS module can be deployed on the ground along with a remote control and rapidly be mounted on a military support vehicle or trailer-based system.
The platform is operated by a crew of two: one to watch the targets and another to strike them.
It can be deployed for point defense roles or as part of a combat management system for wider area defense.
Features
The system comprises a 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II autocannon combined with a digital fire control system and radar.
The gun fires programmable air burst ammunition at a range of 2 kilometers (1.24 miles).
The effector’s accuracy is provided by MSI’s SATOS sighting system. It also features a thermal sensor and a laser rangefinder.
$121M Package
The aid is part of a 100 million pounds ($121 million) package London announced earlier this month, which includes over 70 million pounds ($85 million) of air defense capability.
The number of air defense systems to be sent to Ukraine has not been disclosed.
Additional equipment covered in the fund includes anti-mining systems, bridging capabilities, and vehicles for the clearance of non-explosive obstacles.