US Buying 100 of Taiwan's Air Defense Hawk Missile Systems For Ukraine

Ukraine is already effectively using US-made Hawk missile systems against Russian aircraft and ballistic missiles.

It will now supplement its arsenal with Hawks decommissioned by Taiwan and sold to the US which will then transfer them to Ukraine. Other countries are also being asked to transfer their Hawks to Ukraine as the Hawks in those countries are replaced by newer models. JL 

Jono Thomson reports in Taiwan News:

The U.S. will repurchase Phase III MIM-23 Hawk missiles it sold to Taiwan and decommissioned in June, to provide them to Ukraine. Israel was also asked by the U.S. to provide Hawk missiles for Ukraine. Spain began sending Hawk missiles to Ukraine in October 2022. Hawk missiles have been used in 41 Taiwanese combat exercises between 1965 and 2017, successfully hitting their targets over 90% of the time. The U.S.-made weapons are designed to destroy enemy aircraft and intercept missiles. They are used by many other countries, including Singapore and Japan.

The U.S. will repurchase decommissioned missiles it sold to Taiwan and provide them to Ukraine as part of a military aid package, according to a local news outlet.

The China Times quoted an unnamed source on Friday (July 14) who said that the Phase III MIM-23 Hawk missiles, decommissioned in June, will be sold to the U.S.

Consultations with “high-level” national security officials last year reportedly led to an agreement between the two countries. It was decided that after the U.S. purchase, the missiles will be sent to the Ukrainian army to combat Russian drones and low-altitude aircraft.

 

The latest round of U.S. military aid to Ukraine includes Hawk missiles, and in January Axios reported that Israel was asked by the U.S. to provide Hawk missiles for Ukraine. Spain also began sending Hawk missiles to Ukraine in October 2022.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense declined Taiwan News’ request for comment on the report, but said weapons are disposed of according to the military’s own regulations. According to the regulations, surplus military products cannot be sold, except in special circumstances that are approved by the ministry.

According to Taiwan's airforce, Hawk missiles have been used in 41 combat exercises between 1965 and 2017, successfully hitting their targets just over 90% of the time. The U.S.-made weapons are designed to destroy enemy aircraft and intercept missiles and are used by many other countries, including Singapore and Japan.

Taiwan will replace the decommissioned weapons with the locally developed Sky Bow III (TK-3) missile.