by Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President, News
It’s a US-made air defense system that was developed in the 1950s – and it has already proven its worth in Ukraine’s war with Russia. Now, Kyiv has received more MIM-23 Hawk systems.
Spain transferred some of its Hawks to Ukraine last weekend. According to a Bulgarian military website, Ukraine already is operating the Hawk Phase II system, which was upgraded in the 1990s.
The medium-range surface-to-air missile, built by Raytheon, was first fielded by the US Army in 1959. It was America’s top of the line air defense weapon until it was replaced by the Patriot in the mid-90s. The Marine Corps kept using it until 2002. While the US never used the Hawk in combat, other nations did – including Israel and Iran (which used it to shoot down Iraqi planes during its war with Baghdad from 1980 to 1988).
Compared with more modern systems, the Hawk is relatively simple, highly-mobile and can be upgraded easily. It’s considered effective against slower drones, manned aircraft and cruise missiles. And, according to Forbes, the Hawk missile is compatible with another US-made air defense weapon that Ukraine uses, the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
The Hawk has a flight ceiling of 65,000 feet and an operational range of up to 31 miles. In 1995, the missiles were equipped with a new warhead designed to be effective against short-range tactical ballistic missiles.
According to Military.News, the Hawk has been used to shoot down more than 40 Shahed drones and 14 cruise missiles. The system is said to be used alongside other, more sophisticated and long-range systems, such as the Patriot or the S-300.
Earlier this month, Taiwan reportedly sent 15 of its surplus Hawk batteries to Ukraine.
In June, the US and Israel reportedly discussed a plan to send Kyiv more Patriot missile batteries. At the same time, the Biden administration said it would temporarily halt the deliveries of Patriot and NASAMS interceptors to overseas customers other than Ukraine and Taiwan. The White House called the move necessary to “ensure Ukraine’s survival.”
Ukraine received the first of its Patriots last year. They have been used to shoot down a number of Russia’s Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, along with at least one A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control aircraft.
The Patriot, in conjunctions with NASAMS, also has been credited with shooting down as many as four Su-34 fighter-bombers. That’s a switch for the Patriot, which has typically been engineered to intercept ballistic missiles.
