Ukraine’s security is our security, says the PM, as he announces a new defence system to defend Ukraine from Russian air attacks (Picture: Ukraine MOD)

Alex Candlin

16th January 2025 at 4:30pm

Ukraine will be provided with a brand new mobile air defence system by the UK following an announcement made by the Prime Minister during his first visit to the country.

Gravehawk is a UK-designed air defence system and, according to the Ministry of Defence, has been rapidly developed to meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs.

The announcement comes after both nations signed a 100-year agreement which will lead to closer military collaborations on maritime security.

• UK and Ukraine sign 100-year partnership to boost maritime security and economic recovery
• Ukraine’s drone-killing Gepards to get resupply of vital high-explosive ammo
• The German-made anti-aircraft gun taking down Russian drones

Little is known about the Gravehawk system which is being billed as “innovative” by the Ministry of Defence.

However, it is said to be the size of a shipping container and is capable of retrofitting air-to-air missiles for ground-based air defence, meaning it can use Ukrainian missiles already in possession of its armed forces.

Little else is known about the weapons system, and no images have been revealed to show exactly what Gravehawk looks like. 

Russia has carried out repeated attacks against Ukraine from the air and Gravehawk will boost the country’s air defences, the MOD said.

Two prototypes of the air defence capability system were tested in Ukraine in September, and a further 15 will soon be donated.

The system has been jointly funded by the UK and Denmark.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “We are stepping up UK support for Ukraine throughout 2025.

“Our plan will increase Ukraine’s military capability, expand our training offer, strengthen defence-industrial ties and dial up the pressure on Putin. 

“This new package of support will help strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield or at any negotiating table.”

Watch: The anti-aircraft gun set to help Ukraine shield itself from Russian drones

In his first visit to Ukraine since becoming PM, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Ukraine’s security is our security. We must continue to do everything possible to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest position – that is why the UK is going further than ever before, ramping up military and humanitarian support.

“The British people have never wavered in their support for Ukraine, and today, UK firms are stepping up to support Ukraine’s military capabilities.

“We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine.”

Keir Starmer

@Keir_Starmer

Peace through strength. I’m in Kyiv with a simple message to the people of Ukraine: Our 100 Year Partnership is a promise that we are with you, not just today or tomorrow, but for a hundred years – long after this war is over and Ukraine is free and thriving once again.

……………

Here is Valerii Zaluzhnyi with his report from his LinkedIn page:

I am pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to Kyiv. This marks his first visit to Ukraine as head of the British government, and it is set to be an eventful one.

The UK has been actively supporting us during these challenging times. During the talks in Kyiv, the top leadership of Ukraine and the United Kingdom will discuss further cooperation, primarily in the area of security.

However, the most significant highlight is the anticipated signing of a landmark Agreement on a 100-Year Partnership between our countries, which will encompass a wide range of areas, from defence to science and culture.

We also plan to resume the work of the Strategic Partnership Dialogue – a crucial mechanism enabling us to effectively discuss and address various issues of bilateral cooperation.

We must stand together to become even stronger in this difficult struggle that Ukraine is waging against the aggressor.

……..

Here is HM Govt’s report :

Press release

£4.5 billion military boost to Ukraine front line to support UK growth and jobs

UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine delivers on this Government’s Plan for Change, supporting UK security and growth.From:

Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street, Ministry of Defence, 

The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Published 16 January 2025

• A Yorkshire company is to begin production of artillery barrels for the first time in almost two decades to support Ukraine, after a £61 million contract was awarded to BAE Systems
• Comes as new air defence system, designed and developed between the UK and Denmark, is deployed to the country
• UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine delivers on this Government’s Plan for Change, supporting UK security and growth

A Yorkshire-based defence company will begin the production of barrels for the first time in almost two decades, as the UK ramps up its military supplies to Ukraine in 2025.

The UK placed a £61 million contract with defence giant BAE Systems to produce the barrel forgings, working with Sheffield Forgemasters. The barrels will be produced in Yorkshire, before being sent to Ukraine for finishing and integration. 

This year the UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever before, with £3 billion already committed for lethal aid, and the first £1.5 billion from a £2.26 billion loan as part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration scheme set to be released for major procurement projects. The loan will be repaid using the extraordinary profits on immobilised Russian sovereign assets.

The £4.5 billion boost for Ukraine in 2025 will see the UK will procure hundreds more air defence systems, drones and essential equipment support to sustain Ukrainian forces on the front line. 

With firms across the UK ramping up production to meet Ukraine’s requirements, the funding for Ukraine will directly support the UK deference industry, creating UK jobs, and delivering on this government’s growth agenda and Plan for Change. That includes BAE Systems and Sheffield Forgemasters, who, for the first time in almost two decades, will produce artillery barrels for artillery guns.

It comes after the Prime Minister said that the UK would develop a new training offer with Ukraine, alongside its allies. This will see the UK expand its offer to train members of Ukraine’s armed forces, building on the success of Operation Interflex that trained more than 51,000 Ukrainian recruits in the last two years.  Ukrainian officer cadets will be trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, helping to develop Ukraine’s future military leaders. British officer cadets will also be able to attend training colleges in Ukraine,  learning first-hand from Ukrainian Armed Forces about their fight on the battlefield.

He told President Zelenskyy today that nothing is off the table when it comes to the UK’s training offer for Ukraine in 2025, and that the UK was working closely with allies and partners to design and develop a new training offer to put the country is the strongest possible position through 2025.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Ukraine’s security is our security. We must continue to do everything possible to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest position – that is why the UK is going further than ever before, ramping up military and humanitarian support.

The British people have never wavered in their support for Ukraine, and today, UK firms are stepping up to support Ukraine’s military capabilities. We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister has also announced that they UK will deliver a new mobile air defence capability to Ukraine this year.

Gravehawk, a UK designed air defence system, has been rapidly developed to meet Ukrainian needs on the battlefield. The project has been jointly funded by the UK and Denmark.

The innovative system, which is the size of a shipping container, is able to retrofit air-air missiles for ground-based air defence, meaning it can use Ukrainian missiles already in their Armed Forces’ possession.

With Ukraine under constant Russian bombardment, the Gravehawk system will boost Ukraine’s air defences, allowing them to defend their cities, troops and critical infrastructure.

Two prototypes of the air defence capability system were tested in Ukraine in September, and a further 15 will follow this year.

Defence Secretary John Healey said:

We are stepping up UK support for Ukraine throughout 2025. Our plan will increase Ukraine’s military capability, expand our training offer, strengthen defence industrial ties and dial up the pressure on Putin. 

This new package of support will help strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield or at any negotiating table.

The UK’s £2.26 billion loan, which forms part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) scheme, will be enabled by new legislation which will shortly complete its passage through Parliament.  The UK’s loan is earmarked as budgetary support for Ukraine’s military spending, enabling them to invest in key equipment, including British equipment, to support their efforts against Russia.