Two years ago, in August 2023, it was revealed that the Ukrainian Air Force had been reinforced with unannounced AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles on an improvised launcher from the UK.
Later, it became known that this makeshift air defense system was named RAVEN, and in May this year the number of systems delivered to the Ukrainian Defense Forces was disclosed eight units, with plans to supply five more.
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Their effectiveness was estimated at around 70 percent, and by late spring, thanks to their operation, over 400 targets had been shot down.
This is indeed a fairly wide range, from robotic ground platforms like TheMIS to Rapier launchers, armored vehicles similar to Wolfhound 6×6, the upgraded RAVEN system based on an Ajax-type armored vehicle, and even ship-mounted launchers.
This is a vivid example of both standardization and the effort to breathe new life into old equipment, such as the Rapier launchers which, as early as 2022, the UK had retired after 50 years of service, dating back to 1971.
Meanwhile, X user Gabriele Molinelli highlighted that MBDA showcased a whole series of different launchers adapted for ASRAAM missiles.
It is also worth noting that the RAVEN system received some upgrades, including a new HMT 600 chassis variant and double the number of missiles. This shows that the UK did not abandon the idea at the basic level but actively developed it.
The THeMIS variant is particularly noteworthy, as it is an ideal solution for the UK to provide these launchers to Ukraine and test how these robotic air defense systems perform in real combat conditions.
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