Though Outdated Will Provide Value to Ukraine

Air defense has played a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war, with both sides vying for control of the airspace by deploying advanced air defense systems. Recent news articles highlight these state-of-the-art systems, such as the Patriot air-defense system successfully intercepting a Russian hypersonic weapon, and Russian electronic warfare systems countering 10,000 Ukrainian drones each month. Therefore, it is somewhat surprising that the recent aid package from the U.S. to Ukraine included the MIM-23 Hawk air-defense artillery system. Developed by the U.S. in 1959 and phased out of service in the 1990s, the Hawk system is considered somewhat outdated. Nonetheless, it will provide Ukraine with an advantage in controlling their airspace.

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MIM-23 Hawk system, a medium-range, mobile air defense system, is designed to engage multiple airborne threats simultaneously. It boasts a maximum engagement range of up to 40 kilometers and incorporates an advanced surveillance radar for target detection and tracking. The upgraded versions have approximately an 85 percent chance of intercepting a short-range tactical missile. In terms of operational use, the Hawk system has been used to protect critical assets, military bases, and deployed forces by a number of countries.

The system underwent a number of upgrades over the past decades; however, the U.S. Army replaced the system with the Patriot system in 1994. The U.S. Marine Corps followed suit and transitioned to Stinger missiles in 2002. Nevertheless, the U.S. possesses a substantial stockpile of Hawk systems in its equipment graveyards, and several countries still procure and employ them. Thus, the system is readily available for transfer to another country with minimal refurbishment. Moreover, providing another country with Hawk systems does not detract from the readiness of U.S. military units.

Once Ukraine receives the Hawk systems, they will be able to quickly deploy and utilize them as they are already trained on its usage. The Ukrainian military received Hawk systems from the Spanish military earlier in the war, and the U.S. subsequently provided them with additional refurbished Hawk missiles. Ukrainian troops have been trained on these systems in Spain since late 2022, and it is likely that they are already in use in Ukraine.

Another advantage of the Hawk system is its specific design to target Cold War-era Soviet missiles and aircraft. As the Russians deplete their stocks of modern equipment, they are increasingly relying on older equipment from their weapon stockpiles. While the Russian military employs advanced drones, hypersonic missiles, and cruise missiles, their stores of such equipment are dwindling. Furthermore, the Hawk system has undergone multiple upgrades over the decades to enhance its effectiveness, particularly against Soviet technology during the Cold War. Moreover, the Hawk system is highly effective against both new and old Russian aircraft. Although newer aircraft employ electronic countermeasures to offer some protection against air defense systems, continued Russian use of aircraft in the war may deplete these countermeasures as well.

The Ukrainian forces are set to integrate the Hawk system into their current air-defense assets, which encompass a diverse range of systems. This includes the Patriot systems provided by the U.S., the IRIS-T systems acquired from Germany, the Norwegian-built NASAMS, and the Soviet-era S300 and Buk systems. Meanwhile, the Russians have adopted a strategy of extensive barrages consisting of different cruise missiles, kamikaze drones, and hypersonic weapons. Therefore, it is strategically logical for the Ukrainians to adopt a multi-layered approach that incorporates a variety of air-defense systems. In this battle of attrition, where quantity often surpasses quality, the addition of the Hawk system will complement the existing air-defense arsenal.

Apart from its other benefits, the Hawk system also presents an additional target for the Russians. The Russian military must allocate its depleting resources to target and destroy these systems. Moreover, since the Hawk system is designed to engage older equipment, the Russians may need to utilize some of their newer systems, which are in shorter supply, to neutralize the Hawk systems.

The Russia-Ukraine war showcases a unique blend of state-of-the-art technologies and aging equipment employed by both sides. In the ongoing battle for Ukraine’s airspace, modern and older systems are working together to neutralize a wide range of threats, from Cold War-era cruise missiles to cutting-edge hypersonic missiles. This juxtaposition highlights the pragmatic approach taken by both the Russians and Ukrainians, leveraging the capabilities of new and old systems to address the evolving challenges of contemporary warfare.