A Terrahawk Paladin short-range air defense system has been documented operating with Ukraine's 156th Air Defense Missile Regiment, according to field reports, representing the first battlefield confirmation of the British-manufactured platform in Ukrainian hands.
The system, mounted on a MAN HX chassis, was originally committed to Ukraine in 2023. The platform centers on countering unmanned aerial threats that have targeted both military positions and civilian infrastructure throughout the conflict.
The Terrahawk Paladin fields a 30mm Mark 44 Bushmaster II cannon as its primary armament. The system integrates a 360-degree surveillance radar, an electro-optical targeting system, and a night-vision channel for operations in low-visibility conditions.
"The platform is fully autonomous and features integrated sensors for detecting, tracking, and engaging aerial, ground, and maritime targets at short distances," according to technical specifications.
Imagery from Ukrainian deployment shows protective screens installed around the radar assembly—modifications assessed as shielding for mission-critical sensors during drone attacks or fragmentation events.
The MAN HX tactical truck chassis provides mobility, allowing the system to operate as a mobile platform or permit rapid dismounting when tactical situations require it.
Ukraine has received an expanding inventory of short-range counter-UAS and air defense systems to address Russian drone operations, including Shahed loitering munitions, Lancet strike drones, and reconnaissance platforms. Western suppliers have accelerated deliveries of mobile gun systems, radar-guided weapon stations, and electronic warfare platforms to disperse Ukraine's air defense network and protect infrastructure from low-altitude threats.
The Paladin emphasizes low-cost engagement, rapid reaction capability, and modular design—characteristics gaining importance as Ukraine confronts high volumes of relatively inexpensive unmanned aircraft. The fully autonomous mode enables quick response with minimal crew involvement, improving survivability when operators must relocate rapidly or engage sequential threats.
