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Robles responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi's request for enhanced air defense systems by confirming that Spain would immediately send a full HAWK battery, including six missile launchers already in Poland for rapid deployment.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Spain has played a vital role in providing military aid to Ukraine. Among the supplied:
- 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks;
- 60 M113 armored personnel carriers;
- 20 URO VAMTAC armored vehicles;
- as well as a number of vehicles and artillery systems.
Spain also provided a large number of surface-to-air missile systems, including the Aspide 2000 battery and Hawk anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as radars and anti-tank weapons. In addition to military equipment, Spain supplied field hospitals, medical supplies and provided the necessary training for Ukrainian soldiers.
The Spanish Army uses the MIM-23 HAWK air defense system, in particular the updated Phase III version, which provides medium-range air defense capabilities. In service since the 1960s, the HAWK system has undergone several upgrades to remain effective in today's combat scenarios. The upgraded Phase III has significantly improved radar, missile technology and overall system performance, ensuring it continues to play a critical role in Spain's air defense network.
The HAWK Phase III system can engage targets at a distance of up to 45 kilometers and intercept threats flying at an altitude of up to 18 kilometers. This makes the system effective against a variety of aerial threats, including low-flying aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and some types of cruise missiles. She
One of the most notable advances in the Phase III version is the introduction of sophisticated radar systems, including the AN/MPQ-61 and AN/MPQ-62 radars. These radars enhanced the HAWK's ability to detect and track low-flying and fast-moving targets in challenging environments. They allow the system to track multiple targets simultaneously.
The rocket technology in the Phase III version has also been significantly upgraded. The missiles are equipped with semi-active radar homing systems, which allow to increase the accuracy of hitting modern highly maneuverable targets. The warhead is designed for high kill probability, with a fragmentation action system that provides effective destruction even in close encounters with fast-moving targets.
In addition to tracking and improving missile accuracy, the HAWK Phase III has a faster reaction time. This means the system can quickly detect, track and engage fast-moving threats such as fighter jets and cruise missiles, significantly increasing its defensive capabilities. Although the system is not as mobile as some of the latest air defense platforms, it is still highly deployable, thanks to improvements that allow it to be transported and configured effectively in various combat environments.
Despite being an older system, the HAWK Phase III remains an important part of Spain's air defense strategy. Spain's decision to donate HAWK systems to Ukraine, including missile launchers and radars, demonstrates the continued relevance of this system.
