The new package of aid from the UK to improve air defence includes the transfer of a Terrahawk Paladin, a fixed air defence system manufactured by MSI Defense Systems.
New UK military aid package for Ukraine includes Terrahawks
As part of a new military assistance package worth 100 million pounds (about $123 million) from the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), the United Kingdom is transferring additional weapons and air defence equipment to Ukraine.
The list includes demining equipment, spare parts for repairing the transferred weapons, and critical infrastructure protection equipment.
The only specific weapon mentioned is the MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin system from the British company MSI. An undisclosed number of these systems and other unnamed air defence equipment were ordered under a 70 million pound (about $86 million) contract.
A new $122 million aid package from the UK to improve air defence has announced the transfer of a stationary anti-aircraft system manufactured by MSI Defense Systems – the Terrahawk Paladin.
This was reported on the official website of the British government.
Terrahawk Paladin anti-aircraft system can shoot down drones at a range of 3km
The MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin system was publicly presented only in September 2022, and an updated version in September 2023. It is a classic anti-drone solution that combines an automatic gun with a digital fire control system and radar for detecting targets in any condition.
The system is enhanced by complete autonomy of operation and the availability of appropriate sensors and systems for searching, detecting, capturing and destroying air, land and sea targets at short range.
Terrahawk is powered with 30-mm Mk44 Bushmaster II chain gun
The 30-mm Mk44 Bushmaster II is used to destroy targets, which can use programmable fuzes. The developers declare that if they are used, the range of destruction of an air target is up to 3 km.
The SATOS optical sighting station, developed by MSI, is responsible for the accuracy of the fire which has a thermal imager and laser rangefinder. The fire control system supports auto-tracking of the target. The Terrahawk Paladin’s MSI-DS radar component includes four radars with AFAR, which allows for a simultaneous 360-degree view.
Along with the gun, a fixed radar mast with a circular view is mounted on the platform to detect small targets.
In conjunction with the radar, an optical target acquisition system with a day and night channel is installed, ensuring enemy targets’ destruction in any weather.
The system is powered by a generator that provides power for the installation and the control unit. The control itself is remote and can be operated in unprepared areas.
UK-supplied Terrahawks will help Ukrainian air defences to fight Russian drone attacks
The MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin includes the ability to integrate additional means of destruction, such as semi-active laser-guided missiles such as APKWS.
Thus, this system, especially when combined with programmable munitions, is a very effective answer to the cost-effective destruction of threats such as Shahed-136 aircraft.
MSI Defense Systems is a pioneer in the development of remote-controlled systems. Their guns are actively used on surface ships worldwide and provide reliable protection for ships from surface and air threats.
