Terrahawk Paladin Short-Range Air Defense Enters Service in Ukraine For Low-Altitude Drone Defense

Ukraine’s Air Force has received its first British-made Terrahawk Paladin short-range air defense systems for the 156th anti-aircraft missile regiment, according to Militarnyi on November 19.

Militarnyi reported that the 156th anti-aircraft missile regiment of the Air Force has taken the Terrahawk Paladin systems into service, describing them as British anti-aircraft installations intended to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense at low and very low altitudes.

The publication noted that these are the first Terrahawk Paladin units delivered to Ukraine and that they are being integrated into the Air Force structure rather than ground forces, underscoring their role in protecting key facilities and covering other air defense assets.

The Terrahawk Paladin is a short-range air defense and counter-drone platform developed by UK-based MSI Defense Systems that:

• Is armed with a 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II autocannon capable of firing programmable airburst rounds and is specifically designed to counter drones such as Shahed-136, loitering munitions, and other low-flying threats;

• Features 360° AESA  radar coverage and an electro-optical/infrared sight with thermal imaging and laser rangefinding;

• Can be operated remotely from a protected operator station, is modular enough to be deployed on vehicles, trailers, or static racks, and can function either as a standalone unit or as part of a layered air defense system.

The system can be utilized according to the unit’s needs, adding an additional layer to Ukraine’s existing mix of Soviet-era and Western-supplied air defense systems.

Earlier, it was reported that a British-made Raven ground-based air defense system in service with Ukraine’s Air Force has destroyed dozens of Russian drones and missiles and is now being used to target Su-25 attack aircraft, showcasing the effectiveness of modern short-range Western systems integrated into Ukraine’s layered air defense.

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