The Ministry of Defence has showcased the Raven air defence system in a recent video on its official YouTube channel, providing insight into how the innovative system has become a key asset in Ukraine’s air defence network.
The video features Colonel Todd from Task Force Kindred, who provides an overview of Raven’s development and operational effectiveness.
According to the MOD video, the Raven system was conceived and delivered within three months in 2022. It is built on the HMT 600 Supercat vehicle, utilising surplus ASRAAM air-to-air missiles mounted on adapted rails from decommissioned aircraft such as the Hawk, Jaguar, and Tornado.
This rapid innovation led to one of the most effective short-range air defence systems currently in use in Ukraine.
Colonel Todd describes Raven as an “amazing system” that was developed in collaboration between UK industry, the RAF Air and Space Warfare Centre, MBDA, and DE&S. He notes that it has demonstrated significant success in Ukraine, with over 400 engagements recorded so far, achieving a success rate of more than 70%. The system has proven particularly effective against drones, cruise missiles, and potentially against aircraft and helicopters.
The Raven system can be operated either from within the vehicle cab or remotely from up to 50 metres away, using a gamepad-style controller to identify, track, and engage targets. This flexible approach allows operators to remain in relative safety while maintaining high responsiveness.
As described in the video, the Raven is praised by Ukrainian forces for its reliability and utility within their air defence network. Colonel Todd stated: “The Ukrainians love this system. They said how effective it is and how important it has been as part of their air defence network.”
The MOD highlights that eight Raven systems were initially sent to Ukraine in 2022, followed by an additional five systems. The project utilises equipment from the UK’s existing inventory that was otherwise scheduled for disposal, allowing support to Ukraine at minimal cost to UK operational readiness.
Colonel Todd explains the value of the project: “The Raven system, both the vehicle, the rail, and the missile, uses systems which were in the UK inventory but were no longer required. These were missiles which had had their operational use in the RAF and were otherwise planned for disposal. Therefore, the support to Ukraine has not been at the expense of UK operations or readiness.”
Looks like something the UK could use, probably better range that HVM on Stormer , perhaps with a couple of Camm as well and a data feed from a supporting radar. Far lighter and mobile than Sky Sabre and could be lifted by a Chinook?
Kudos to everyone involved 👏👏
Need this back in the UK inventory. Much of it should be able to be replicated together with new missiles. It would be intesting to see how quickly the vehicles could be replicated here in the UK and perhaps we could distribute them around the country protecting whatever needs to be protected.
The Vehicles are British built by SC formally known as Supacat and have been around for decades. The same version of the vehicle was trialled as a 155mm SPG and a lightweight MLRS by MOD but never adopted.
MOD just seem to not like buying UK products 🤷🏼♂️
Considering the UK has a very large ASRAAM stock why the hell has the MOD not put together a version for Uk armed forces, give it to the RAF REG for airfield defence.
Because it’s not been given a fancy Project acronym, commanded by a senior officer as PM nor actually instigated by the MOD Army establishment. Ergo it will never be ordered !
It would need a multi billion pound budget and 10 year project allocated first if we were to use it.
One Army have taken over and Gucci’s it within an inch of its life and spent 10 years on that they will cancel the program and say they need a longer range version with extra twiddly bits.
You know it makes sense.
Where did I hear that before….oh, yes it was Sky Sabre!
Steady on there !..🤔 You’re using common sense
RAF and the Army Brigades, with these available, shoot and scoot
But as others have said, it would become a more expensive GUCCI, late and complicated mess, and then cancelled
UNLESS by some miracle, there might be a whiff of change on procurement
Because its cheap and wont destroy the defence budget with a multi-billion pound 15 year programme that will lead to x6 launchers only and then be scrapped in 5 years after entering service.
In all seriousness this is precisely the kind of British innovation that helped us to win WW2- we have to innovate, adapt and then bring these innovations into service.
So what that it has a 70% success rate- that’s a damn sight higher than rapier ever was plus it means if two launchers fire at the same target they have over a 100% success rate- so my suggestion is buy 100 launchers, give them to the RAF regiment and reserves and hey presto RAF airfield defence has just had a 100% increase in its SHORAD capability- from nothing to something. Cost for 100 launchers is going to be what £100 million (1 million each?)- making this the cheapest polyvalent air defence system the world has ever seen.