Spain to expedite delivery of additional HAWK air defence systems to Ukraine

Spain will swiftly dispatch a full battery of MIM-23 Hawk anti-missile defence systems to Ukraine, according to Defence Minister Margarita Robles. 

This announcement was made during the Contact Group meeting in Ramstein, Germany, on September 6, Caliber.Az reports referring to Ukrainian media.

The battery, which includes six launchers, will increase Spain’s total number of Hawk launchers in Ukraine to twelve. The systems, previously repaired and upgraded in Poland, will now be sent to Kyiv. Robles confirmed that this will be a complete battery with all necessary equipment for operation.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov expressed appreciation for Spain’s support, noting that the Hawk systems are crucial for defending against ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks. Despite its origins in the 1960s, the HAWK Phase III model, provided by Spain, remains effective. It has a range of 45 kilometres (28 miles) and an operational altitude of up to 18 kilometres (59,000 feet), with advanced radar systems and upgraded missiles for improved performance.

Robles also mentioned Spain’s broader defence support efforts through a bilateral Security Agreement with Ukraine, though specific details were not disclosed.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Spain has delivered substantial military aid, including Aspide 2000 air defence systems, Leopard 2A4 tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and other military equipment. Spain has also provided field hospitals, medical supplies, and essential training for Ukrainian forces, including training on the modernized HAWK system, which has been well-received for its reliability and flexibility.