Ukraine began to use HAWK air defense systems
MIM-23 rocket in flight. Still from a video from the Ukrainian Air Force
About a year ago, it became known that foreign partners and patrons were planning to transfer old MIM-23 HAWK anti-aircraft missile systems to the Kyiv regime. At the same time, the first batch of such equipment was shipped, but the situation did not develop further. For a long time, nothing was reported about foreign air defense systems, and only recently the Ukrainian command for the first time showed their alleged combat use.
First shots
On October 23, the press service of the Ukrainian Air Force, responsible for air defense, published a short video with allegedly live firing of a foreign HAWK air defense system. It is alleged that the video was filmed last night. At the same time, the location of the shooting remained unknown, and the dark time of day did not allow it to be accurately determined. However, from the reflections of the explosions one could see that the launches were carried out over the sea.
The video shows two consecutive launches of anti-aircraft guided missiles from a ground installation. The first product moved away from the launch site in a few seconds and exploded. This was followed by the flight of the second missile along a spiral trajectory followed by detonation. Apparently, this missile flew at a shorter range.
The results of the two launches are unknown - we can only talk about the successful detonation of combat units, but nothing more. In addition, commenting on the video, the command of the “industrial forces” points out that the air defense is not yet showing a XNUMX% result, although it is striving for it. At the same time, as usual, Ukrainian propagandists did not forget to praise foreign weapon.
Detonation of a warhead and allegedly hitting a target. Still from a video from the Ukrainian Air Force
Thus, the Ukrainian air defense received and put on combat duty another model of foreign anti-aircraft weapons. It is curious that this time the imported air defense system was not put into service immediately after its receipt. It took about a year from the arrival of the first HAWK products to the first known (or suspected) use.
Long and little
Last fall, after the first massive attacks on critical military and dual-use infrastructure, the Kiev regime requested modern anti-aircraft weapons from foreign partners. Foreign countries expressed their readiness to supply air defense systems, and quite quickly, obsolete HAWK products began to be mentioned in this context.
So, in mid-October, Spain promised to send Kyiv four HAWK air defense missile launchers of one of the older modifications - actually a battery kit. In addition, it was planned to transfer other types of anti-aircraft weapons. Over the next few weeks, the Spanish army prepared the promised products, and in early November they were sent to Ukraine. In early December, the Kiev regime confirmed receipt of these products.
Just a few weeks later, the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced the future continuation of deliveries. Upon request from NATO, the department will provide two more HAWK launchers. They were likely transferred to the recipient within a few weeks or months of the announcement.
Spanish assets from HAWK when sent to Ukraine, November 2022. Photo by the Spanish Ministry of Defense
Then, at the end of October, the American press reported that the White House and the Pentagon were also considering the possibility of transferring the HAWK air defense system to Ukraine. These complexes have long been removed from service with the US Army, but a significant number of launchers and missiles for them remain at storage bases. This reserve could be used to help the Kyiv regime.
Subsequently, information about American HAWKs for Ukrainian air defense was only partially confirmed. Since last fall, the Pentagon has repeatedly included MIM-23 missiles in new military aid packages, but has done without delivering other weapons.
It was also suggested that the American plan for the supply of HAWK air defense systems involves the involvement of third countries. The United States could buy the remaining products of this type and send them to Ukraine. In particular, there were rumors about the possible acquisition of air defense systems removed from service in Taiwan. However, this information was not subsequently confirmed.
Thus, since October last year, only one country, Spain, has provided Ukraine with a set of ground-based HAWK air defense systems for the creation and deployment of one or two batteries. The Spanish army also helped with the supply of missiles, and the United States is involved in this process. Other countries are not involved in the supply of MIM-23 HAWK or its components.
HAWK launcher with MIM-23 missiles. Photo by US Department of Defense
The results of lengthy discussions and promises turned out to be quite modest. In total, six HAWK launchers, a set of control and support equipment, and several batches of missiles were delivered to Ukraine. In general, in terms of supply volumes, MIM-23 loses to other foreign air defense systems. At the same time, it is unclear whether foreign partners will have new products of this type for Kyiv.
Old modernization
According to known data, Spain transferred to Ukraine anti-aircraft systems of the HAWK Phase II modification with MIM-23B Improved HAWK missiles. Both of these developments are not new. The MIM-23B missile entered service with the United States and then other countries in 1971, and the Phase 2 version of the system appeared towards the end of the same decade. Subsequently, the development of air defense systems continued, but a number of armies were left with products of outdated models.
The Phase II version of the HAWK complex is generally similar to previous modifications, but differs from them in the composition of equipment and equipment. As before, the battery kit includes a standard radar, a control center and up to 4-6 launchers. All battery components are mounted on self-propelled or towed chassis and are designed for deployment and duty at a stationary position.
The main innovation of the HAWK Phase II project was the AN/MPQ-57 detection and illumination radar based on a semiconductor element base. It provides all-round visibility of the airspace and detection of targets, depending on their characteristics, at ranges of at least 40-50 km. In addition, in “Phase-2” the radar was supplemented with an optical channel in the form of the OD-179/TVY station, designed for operation in the near field.
AN/MPQ-57 radar. Photo by US Department of Defense
The MIM-23B missile is an improved version of the basic MIM-23A. This product is 5,03 m long in a case with a diameter of 370 mm with characteristic planes of small span. During the modernization, the mass of the rocket increased from 584 to 638 kg. Due to this, the mass of solid fuel in the engine was increased and the high-explosive fragmentation warhead was increased to 75 kg. The missile received an improved semi-active radar homing head. The new engine made it possible to increase the launch range to 35 km and the destruction altitude to 18 km.
The development of the HAWK air defense system continued until the nineties, when the latest modifications were introduced. By replacing key components of the complex, the detection range was increased, and the improvement of the missile increased the affected area. The most advanced missiles of the complex have a launch range of 50 km and an altitude reach of 20 km.
Limited opportunities
Regardless of the specific modification, all MIM-23 HAWK air defense systems can currently be considered morally and physically obsolete. The possibility of their effective use in a modern conflict against a technically advanced army raises serious doubts. However, Ukraine simply has no choice and must use what they can and want to give it.
Even the latest modifications of the HAWK product were developed several decades ago and are not perfect. In addition, the entire family of these air defense systems was considered for almost 65 years as one of the typical threats to the Soviet and Russian aviation and aviation weapons. Various measures have been taken to counter this threat.
Preparing the complex for work. Photo by US Department of Defense
It is obvious that our aircraft will be able to timely identify the threat in the form of old air defense systems and respond to it properly. Depending on conditions and circumstances, they will be able to suppress HAWK and/or escape fire, as well as carry out a retaliatory attack. At the same time, there are ASPs in service that make it possible to destroy such complexes without entering their affected area. In addition, not only the Air Force is engaged in identifying and destroying enemy air defenses.
useless waiting
For unknown reasons, story There has been a serious delay in the delivery and adoption of foreign HAWK air defense systems. The first announcements were made about a year ago, and already in early November one of the foreign partners handed over the complexes to Ukraine. However, after this, American air defense systems of the old model disappeared from use for several months. News.
Only now has it become known that the Spanish HAWKs are actually put on duty and are even allegedly used to repel air attacks. At the same time, the materials now published do not reveal the whole picture and leave questions. However, the prospects for such air defense, made on the basis of a small and outdated imported equipment, no longer raise any questions.
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