Taiwan quietly supports Ukraine with surplus HAWK missiles for air defence

As Ukraine continues bolstering its air-defence capabilities amid the ongoing war with Russia, it has turned to a variety of international sources for support. 

With little fanfare, Taiwan may have emerged as one of Ukraine's most significant supporters in the air-defence arena. According to Tony Hu, a former Pentagon official, Taiwan has donated its surplus HAWK surface-to-air missile batteries to Ukraine's air force, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

Hu’s remarks, made during an interview with the YouTube channel RJ War Room, seem to corroborate earlier reports from 2023 suggesting a US-mediated air-defence agreement between Taiwan and Ukraine. The donation includes Taiwanese MIM-23 Homing All-the-Way Killer missiles, along with their launchers and radars. These would complement additional HAWK systems previously provided by the United States and Spain.  In total, Ukraine could potentially deploy up to 15 Raytheon-made HAWK batteries, each equipped with at least six three-missile launchers and the necessary radar systems. When the Ukrainian air force entered the war in February 2022, it had roughly 50 surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries, primarily consisting of older Soviet models such as the S-300.

Since then, many of these Soviet-era systems have been replaced with more modern Western alternatives, including American-made Patriot systems.  If the overall structure of Ukraine's air-defense force has remained relatively stable, with combat losses offset by the influx of donated equipment, the addition of HAWKs could represent nearly a third of the force. While Taiwan has not been particularly vocal in its support for Ukraine’s war effort, its contributions have been substantial. The HAWK missile system, more than 60 years old, remains a reliable, mobile, and effective tool in Ukraine's air-defence arsenal.

Despite its age, the HAWK's simplicity, ease of upgrades, and ability to target slower drones, cruise missiles, and manned aircraft make it a valuable asset. The 17-foot HAWK missile is compatible with the US-Norwegian National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), which Ukraine also uses. Reports from the summer of 2023 indicated that US officials were in talks with Taiwan to repurchase about a dozen HAWK batteries—around 100 launchers in total—that Taiwan retired in 2015 when it replaced them with locally developed systems and imported NASAMS. This acquisition was seen as critical for Ukraine, particularly in light of an impending shortage of missile stocks for its older Soviet-era S-300 and Buk systems. 

Since then, Ukraine has expanded its air-defense capabilities by incorporating a variety of foreign missile systems, launchers, and radars. This diversification is crucial for Ukraine's defence strategy. With a broader range of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, Ukraine gains access to more missile stockpiles and production lines, ensuring a steady supply of replacements as it continues to counter Russian missile and drone attacks. HAWK missiles are relatively easy to source, as dozens of countries have operated or still operate HAWK batteries, providing Ukraine with a reliable supply of missiles even without direct US involvement.

While the HAWK is effective, it is not as advanced as Ukraine's premier air-defence system, the Patriot, which has a range of up to 100 miles and an onboard radar seeker. The HAWK has a range of just 30 miles and relies on radar reflections from the target. One downside of the HAWK system is its vulnerability to radar jamming. However, integrating the HAWK launchers with the superior radar capabilities of NASAMS could potentially enhance its effectiveness.

By Naila Huseynova