Spain will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense with a battery of Hawk air defense systems.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced this during a conversation with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umierov.

The Ministers discussed additional military assistance for the Ukrainian Defense Forces, including future deliveries of military equipment.

Robles stated that Ukraine will receive all the necessary components to have a fully operational Hawk air defense battery in September, which will increase the potential of Ukrainian air defense.

She also noted the significant progress in the training of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. So far, Spain has trained 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

For his part, Umierov provided an update on the situation on the battlefield and the urgent needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He thanked Spain for its important and unconditional support of our country.

Previously, the Spanish government shipped a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, which included 10 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks that were repaired and restored at the Santa Bárbara Sistemas plant in Seville.

In addition, the Ukrainian military will receive various excavators and a large number of anti-tank missiles.

Hawk air defense system in Ukraine

Spain was the first country to transfer MIM-23 Hawk air defense systems in 2022. Ukraine’s air defense uses these SAMs to protect cities and strategic sites from Russian cruise missiles and drones.

In early July, the Ukrainian Air Force Command said that one of the units armed with the HAWK SAM had already shot down 14 Russian cruise missiles and 40 Shahed kamikaze drones.

The Improved Hawk Phase III systems entering Ukraine’s service. Despite their age, the systems have retained their relevance due to the large-scale modernization that took place during the 1990s. The SAM element base was replaced with a digital one, and more modern radars and a command post were integrated.

The Hawk Phase III is capable of intercepting air targets at a range of 40 km with a maximum altitude of 18 km.