The Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive a Terrahawk Paladin very-short-range air defence (VSHORAD) system manufactured by the British company MSI Defense Systems. 

The said system will significantly increase the Ukrainian military’s capability to counter drones and other aerial targets at very short distances by means of gunfire.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the Terrahawk Paladin air defence system will be financed by the International Fund for Ukraine, established by the United Kingdom and Denmark in 2022. The system is part of the latest package of IFU support for Ukraine. 

The TerraHawk, made by MSI in Norfolk, uses pretty much the same gun mount that is already found on most Royal Navy warships (known as SeaHawk on the market). The gun is a 30×173 mm, a NATO standard, with a good choice of ammo suppliers and natures. pic.twitter.com/zEA13Oy9Oc

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The total value of the package exceeds GBP 100 million. This amount also covers crucial equipment to help Ukrainian soldiers cross minefields, trenches and fording, and heavy-duty plant vehicles to destroy Russian non-explosive obstacles and assist in building defensive positions, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The Terrahawk Paladin is a self-contained solution developed for enhanced mobility. It is modular, remote-controlled and re-deployable, designed to defend against short-range land, air, and maritime threats, demonstrating proven C-UAS and Fast In-shore Attack Craft (C-FIAC) capabilities. 

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The system features sensors and a 30 mm Mark 44 Bushmaster II gun (basic configuration) mounted together on a NATO-standard Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System (D.R.O.P.S.). This can be deployed on the ground with offset remote control for increased operator survivability (hard-wire or Line of Sight).

To re-deploy, the D.R.O.P.S. module can be rapidly mounted on a military support vehicle (or trailer-based system) with the requisite space and payload capacity.

According to MSI Defense Systems, the Terrahawk Paladin system can be deployed as a single unit for point defence or as part of a network under a Combat Management System for area defence. The system is powered by a generator that provides power for the system and the control station, which can also be controlled remotely.

This capability enables the Terrahawk Paladin system to fulfil a wide range of field roles, including protecting high-value targets, critical infrastructure, and serving as a force multiplier for coastal and border protection.

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