Asger Risom
Originally developed during the Cold War, the US-made HAWK air defence system is now helping Ukraine intercept Russian missiles and drones using upgraded radar and targeting technology.
The HAWK air defence system first entered US service more than 60 years ago.
Now, the ageing platform is helping Ukraine intercept cruise missiles, drones and air attacks in active combat.
How the HAWK system works
The HAWK — short for “Homing All the Way Killer” — was developed by the United States in the late 1950s as a medium-range air defence system designed to destroy aircraft.
Over time, the system was modernised to intercept cruise missiles and other aerial threats.
According to technical specifications cited by Ukrinform, the system can strike targets at ranges of up to 40 kilometres and altitudes of roughly 20 kilometres.
Each launcher carries three missiles capable of reaching speeds near 800 metres per second, while the wider system combines radars, targeting stations, command modules and support equipment.
Military personnel from Ukraine’s 208th Kherson Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade described the HAWK as a predecessor to the Patriot system, with several core operational concepts later carried into newer Western air defence platforms.
Why Ukraine still uses it
Despite its age, Ukrainian operators say the system remains highly effective in modern warfare.
The HAWK can engage cruise missiles, drones and glide bombs, and is designed to function in difficult weather conditions and during prolonged air attacks.
Unlike some newer systems that are expensive and difficult to scale, the HAWK offers Ukraine a proven platform that can remain operational for extended periods during mass strikes.
According to servicemen interviewed by Ukrinform, the brigade has destroyed around 50 enemy targets since receiving the system in 2024.
Operators described intercepting missiles aimed at critical infrastructure, including thermal power plants, helping prevent major damage and civilian casualties.
The technology behind interceptions
When an air threat is detected, crews rapidly move the system into combat mode.
Generators power the radar and command systems, operators identify and lock onto incoming targets, and missiles are launched from a central control cabin.
Personnel interviewed by Ukrinform said the system is capable of targeting most airborne threats except ballistic missiles.
The effectiveness of the HAWK lies not only in the missiles themselves, but in the coordination between radar tracking, target acquisition and launch timing.
Ukrainian crews also regularly relocate positions after firing in order to avoid detection and counterattacks.
Old systems, new war
Ukraine’s continued use of older Western systems reflects a broader trend in the war: adapting Cold War-era equipment to modern battlefield conditions.
Systems like the HAWK are being integrated into layered air defence networks alongside newer Western platforms and domestically developed technologies.
Military analysts say the war has demonstrated that upgraded legacy systems can still play a significant role against modern threats, especially when combined with experienced crews and flexible tactics.
For Ukraine, the HAWK is not just ageing hardware — it has become part of the country’s wider effort to protect cities and infrastructure from sustained Russian air attacks.
Sources: Ukrinform
