Terrahawk Paladin is MSI-Defence Systems' British Terrahawk VSHORAD configuration for close-range air defense and counter-UAS point protection. The modular system combines a remote gun mount, SATOS electro-optical sensing, radar-supported cueing, and vehicle, trailer, or NATO-standard flatrack deployment with offset remote operation. The UK announced Terrahawk Paladin for Ukraine through the International Fund for Ukraine in October 2023, and Ukrainian reporting later showed British-supplied systems in service with the 156th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment.
The UK announced Terrahawk Paladin for Ukraine in an IFU air-defense package on 11 October 2023. Ukrainian reporting in November 2025, citing a 156th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment video, showed British-supplied Terrahawk Paladin systems in Ukrainian Air Force service on a MAN HX chassis for short-range air-defense and counter-drone protection.
Role detailsTerrahawk Paladin is presented as a modular point-defense system rather than a single fixed vehicle type. Public sources describe a gun mount, electro-optical sensing, radar-supported cueing, remote control, and several deployment arrangements that can be used alone or networked under a combat management system.
MSI-DS lists SATOS integration, field-proven electro-optical sensor suites, semi-autonomous cue-and-slew, and AI-enabled intelligent video tracking. European Security & Defence reported a prototype fit with four RADA MHR radar panels and SATOS day, thermal, and laser range-finder channels.
MSI-DS advertises direct-fire effectors up to 40 mm and optional C-UAS missile or laser-guided rocket pod integration. The Ukrainian system has been reported with a 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II gun.
The manufacturer describes vehicle-integrated, trailerized, and NATO-standard flatrack deployment, with hard-wire or line-of-sight remote offset control for operator survivability.
Public sources describe Terrahawk Paladin as the mobile member of MSI-DS's Terrahawk VSHORAD family, alongside static flatrack, trailerized, and lighter remote weapon station arrangements.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Static or flatrack Terrahawk VSHORAD | Deployable point-defense configuration | MSI describes the system as capable of ground positioning on a NATO-standard flatrack with remote offset operation. |
| Mobile Terrahawk Paladin | Truck-carried very short-range air defense | Ukrainian reporting and Army Recognition described British-supplied Terrahawk Paladin systems in Ukrainian service on MAN HX 8x8 tactical trucks. Sources: Ukrainska Pravda Ukraine Deploys Terrahawk Paladin, Army Recognition Ukraine Deploys Terrahawk Paladin |
The clearest public component trail identifies the 30 mm Mk44 gun and its Bushmaster ammunition family; the MAN HX truck and unnamed sensors remain deployment context rather than separate linked systems here.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 30 mm automatic cannon | European Security & Defence described the Terrahawk VSHORAD demonstrator with a Mk44 Bushmaster II 30 mm dual-feed automatic cannon, and Ukrainian deployment reporting said the systems supplied to Ukraine used the 30 mm Mark 44 Bushmaster II. Sources: European Security & Defence Terrahawk VSHORAD Details, Ukrainska Pravda Ukraine Deploys Terrahawk Paladin |
 | 30 mm ammunition family | The linked Mk44 Bushmaster II record and Northrop Grumman product material identify the gun family around 30 x 173 mm ammunition; MSI separately lists programmable and proximity ammunition options for Terrahawk VSHORAD. Sources: Northrop Grumman 30x173mm Bushmaster Chain Guns, MSI-DS Terrahawk VSHORAD Product Page |
MSI presented Terrahawk VSHORAD as a modular, remote-controlled, close-range defense system that can be vehicle mounted, trailerized, or positioned on a NATO-standard flatrack.
Sources: MSI-DS Terrahawk VSHORAD Product Page
The UK Ministry of Defence said an International Fund for Ukraine air-defense package would include MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin systems for tracking and destroying drones and protecting critical infrastructure.
Sources: UK MOD Ukraine Support Package Terrahawk Paladin
MSI said it would show Terrahawk VSHORAD at DSEI 2025 as a mobile, deployable, or static short-range air-defense system with modular effector, missile or rocket, ammunition, radar, and tracking options.
Sources: MSI-DS at DSEI 2025
Ukrainska Pravda reported that Ukraine's 156th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment had deployed UK-supplied Terrahawk Paladin systems on MAN HX chassis, citing the regiment's video and Militarnyi reporting.
Sources: Ukrainska Pravda Ukraine Deploys Terrahawk Paladin, Army Recognition Ukraine Deploys Terrahawk Paladin
