Spain starts training the Ukrainian Hawk air defense system crew
9 November, 2023 Ukrainian soldiers study the command post of the MIM-23 HAWK battery in Spain, November 23. Photo credits: Spanish Ministry of Defense The Ukrainian MIM-23 Hawk air defense system crew has started training in Spain.
The Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of Spain reported on this. Following the completion of the previous training course for Ukrainian military personnel in the first half of 2023, a new anti-aircraft unit started its training in Spain. Training to use and maintain the Hawk air defense system will be provided by specialists from the 74th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment of the Spanish Armed Forces at their base in Seville.
Ukrainian soldiers study the command post of the MIM-23 HAWK battery in Spain, November 23. Photo credits: Spanish Ministry of Defense
Spain was the first country to transfer MIM-23 Hawk air defense systems last year. To date, Spain has committed to transfer 12 launchers (two systems).
The Ukrainian Air Force is already using them to protect cities and strategic sites from Russian cruise missiles and drones. Ukraine is currently using the Improved Hawk Phase III air defense system. Despite their age, they have retained their relevance due to the large-scale modernization that took place during the 1990s.
Despite its age, the system has remained relevant due to a large-scale modernization of the Phase III version during the 1990s. Modernization made significant changes, as the entire element base was replaced with digital counterparts, and new radar and command posts were added. Improved Hawk Phase III is capable of intercepting air targets at a range of 40 km at a maximum altitude of 18 km.
The AN/MPQ-50 radar provides target detection at distances up to 100 km at medium and high altitudes. The system is single-channel, so each battery can simultaneously launch a missile and intercept one target. However, due to the low-altitude AN/MPQ-62 radar, it can simultaneously intercept two targets within a radius of up to 20 km.
At the same time, due to their age, the still relevant air defense systems have been withdrawn from the armed forces of almost all former operating countries. Therefore, Ukraine can obtain an almost unlimited supply of missiles for them.
American MIM-23 HAWK anti-aircraft missile system. Photo from open sources
In addition to Spain, the United States and Sweden governments have publicly agreed to transfer these air defense systems.
The latter, in particular, is to provide a more advanced version known as the RBS 97.