A third of Ukraine’s air defense capabilities consist of HAWK systems from Taiwan, which are over 60 years old

Taiwan has supplied Ukraine with American-made HAWK medium-range surface-to-air missile systems. The Ukrainian Armed Forces may have received up to 15 such batteries, now making up about one-third of Ukraine’s air defense.

Forbes reports, citing former Pentagon official Tony Hu.

Reports of Taiwan’s delivery of these systems first surfaced in 2023, with negotiations led by the Americans. Taiwan began decommissioning its HAWK systems in 2015, replacing them with domestically developed systems and imported NASAMS systems.

“The HAWK is over 60 years old, but it is simple, reliable, highly mobile, easily upgraded, and works well against slower drones, cruise missiles, and manned aircraft. The HAWK missile is compatible with more modern NASAMS air defense systems,” the publication notes.

Moreover, since dozens of countries use the HAWK system, Ukraine has access to potentially hundreds of missiles for its use. The primary drawback of the system is its radar’s susceptibility to jamming.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defense specialists are increasingly being sent to infantry roles, affecting the effectiveness of countering Russian air attacks.