Spain is stepping up its help for Ukraine by sending a whole battery of Hawk missiles, which incorporates six launchers. Protection Minister Margarita Robles revealed this on Friday throughout the Contact Group assembly for Ukraine, held in Ramstein, Germany.
Robles confirmed the fast dispatch of this battery, with the six missile launchers, beforehand stationed in Poland, now set to help Ukraine. In line with the Ministry of Protection, this newest cargo brings the whole variety of Hawk launchers despatched by Spain to 12, aimed toward bolstering defenses towards Russian missile strikes.
The Ministry of Protection, sometimes tight-lipped about provides to Ukraine, made an exception by disclosing it will be a “full battery.” This implies all important tools for operation is included.
Expressing his appreciation, Ukrainian Protection Minister Rustem Umerov thanked Spain, noting that the Hawk techniques will vastly improve Ukraine’s air protection towards Russian missile and drone assaults. Umerov underlined the criticality of Spain’s help as Ukraine continues to cope with persistent aerial threats.
Moreover, Ukrainian army officers have famous that whereas the Hawk system could also be older expertise, integrating it into Ukraine’s layered air protection community—alongside techniques like NASAMS and IRIS-T—gives important safety towards cruise missiles and drones.
In the course of the assembly, Robles mentioned “the preparations for brand new donations and provides of supplies from the armed forces, together with the quite a few initiatives the Spanish protection trade is enterprise because of Spain’s bilateral safety settlement with Ukraine.” The Spanish MoD has not but supplied particular particulars.
Remarkably, President Volodymyr Zelensky additionally attended the assembly. He kicked issues off by expressing gratitude for the continued army help, together with supplies, coaching, and humanitarian assist. Zelensky emphasised the gravity of the continuing disaster in Ukraine and underscored the urgent want for ongoing help and superior weapons techniques to fend off Russian aggression. Among the many most pressing requirements, he highlighted the necessity for extra air protection techniques.
Again in 2022, the Military maintained six Hawk anti-aircraft batteries, every outfitted with six launchers able to firing as much as three missiles every. These had been operational below the Anti-Plane Artillery Regiment [RAAA] 74, divided into two teams stationed at El Copero [Seville] and Cortijo de Buenavista Barracks [Cádiz].
Over time, donations to Ukraine have regularly decreased the variety of accessible launchers. In 2022, Spain contributed six launchers in two installments: the primary batch included 4, adopted by a further two. In these situations, the Ministry of Protection referred to them as “anti-aircraft techniques,” avoiding the time period battery, which it has not too long ago began utilizing.
In October 2023, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez dedicated to offering six extra Hawk launchers to Volodymyr Zelensky throughout the European Union summit in Granada. These launchers at the moment are in Poland, awaiting the opposite elements crucial to finish the battery earlier than their remaining handover to Ukrainian forces.
Over the past two years, the Military has lowered its fleet of launch autos from 36 to 24. The Hawk anti-aircraft system, although a veteran with over half a century in service, nonetheless performs a important function in Spain’s medium-tier air protection technique.
To increase the operational lifetime of the Hawk missile system to 2030, the Military has undertaken important upgrades. This overhaul consists of digitizing the digital elements of the monitoring radars and launchers and transitioning them from analog to trendy digital expertise to boost reliability and efficiency.
The MIM-23 Hawk system, which dates again to the Chilly Warfare, has grow to be essential as soon as once more for Ukraine in its battle towards Russian missile and drone assaults. Though some would possibly see it as outdated, the Hawk has proven itself to be fairly efficient, particularly towards older Russian plane and missiles.
Ukrainian forces have obtained coaching in Spain to function this refurbished system, equipped by each the U.S. and Spain. Initially designed to counter Soviet targets from the Chilly Warfare period, it stays advantageous towards the tools that Russia is at present deploying.
On the battlefield, the Hawk system has demonstrated spectacular versatility, intercepting a wide range of targets together with Shahed drones and Kh-59 cruise missiles. Operators have praised its reliability, significantly in intense engagements, similar to a grueling six-hour battle the place the system efficiently downed six drones and a number of missiles. Regardless of not being particularly designed for drones, its adaptability has been essential for Ukraine’s air protection, showcasing the significance of crew coordination and suppleness.
Past its effectiveness towards drones, the Hawk has additionally confirmed its mettle towards superior threats like cruise missiles. Ukrainian personnel have expertly destroyed a number of high-speed targets, emphasizing the system’s tactical worth even in trendy warfare. Its efficiency in Ukraine highlights the enduring relevance of older, but modernized, techniques in right now’s conflicts.
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