As of today, nearly three years after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the air defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine rely on a variety of anti-aircraft systems of different origins and functionalities. Since the beginning of the conflict, one segment of these systems has drawn significant attention from specialists—those that combine Soviet/Russian-origin systems with Western missiles, and vice versa. Among these, the so-called “FrankenSAM” stands out, utilizing RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles launched from the Buk-M1 9A310M platform. Recently, another notable system has emerged: the Gravehawk, developed by the United Kingdom, which employs Soviet-origin R-73 air-to-air missiles. A British media report has confirmed that the first two air defense systems have already been delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
After nearly three years of war, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue their transition toward adopting a wide range of Western-origin combat systems. However, despite the attrition caused by the conflict, Ukraine still possesses significant stockpiles of equipment inherited from the Cold War era. This includes R-73 air-to-air missiles, originally used by the Ukrainian Air Force’s Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters.
Designated as the AA-11 Archer by NATO, the Vympel R-73 remains in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and has been adapted for use in ground-based air defense platforms. One of the most notable examples is the system developed under the “Hornet” project, where a 9K33 Osa air defense system (NATO code: SA-8 Gecko) was modified to launch these missiles. Another example of this adaptation was recorded late last year when a Magura V5 naval drone used an R-73 missile to shoot down a Mil Mi-8 helicopter over the Black Sea.
The latest development comes from a joint effort between the United Kingdom and Denmark to repurpose Ukraine’s large remaining stockpiles of R-73 missiles. Named the Gravehawk, this air defense system is housed within a container transported by a truck and operated by a crew of five. The launch system consists of a dual launcher compatible with the Archer missile.
The United Kingdom has confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already received the first two units, presumably prototypes, which are being tested under combat conditions. While not an ideal solution, each unit is valued at approximately £1 million, with half of the acquisition cost funded by Denmark. In total, the British government has announced the transfer of 15 systems, stating that the development process required an 18-month investment of £6 million.
Thanks to the aforementioned report, additional details about the system have been revealed. In a video that quickly went viral, the system’s launch container is seen housing a generator, an electro-optical and infrared camera (presumably mounted on a retractable mast), and a remote control console connected via a 50-meter cable, allowing the crew to operate from a safe distance.
Despite this new achievement, various sources indicate that adapting the R-73 missile to a ground-based platform could affect its performance, as it was originally designed to be launched under different conditions. Nevertheless, given its Mach 2.5 speed, the system is expected to be primarily used against drones, loitering munitions, and cruise missiles—thus preserving more advanced and costly systems for higher-priority aerial threats such as fighter jets and ballistic missiles.
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