Forbes: Taiwan quietly armed Ukraine with critical air defense systems

Retired Taiwanese air defense batteries could represent nearly a third of Ukraine's shield against Russian aerial attacks.

Nov 12, 2024 - 14:00

Forbes: Taiwan quietly armed Ukraine with critical air defense systems

Reuters: $ 150mln US aid for Ukraine to include HAWK air defense missiles

Taiwan has quietly emerged as a significant contributor to Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, Forbes reports. The publication cites former Pentagon official Tony Hu, who disclosed Taiwan’s transfer of its surplus HAWK batteries to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Taiwan’s support for Ukraine has been selective but strategic. While not fully joining Western sanctions on Russia, and despite potential tensions with China, this significant transfer of HAWK missiles revealed by Forbes has provided crucial reinforcement to Ukraine’s air defenses.

The donation, which appears to confirm earlier reports of a US-brokered deal, could help Ukraine deploy up to 15 HAWK batteries, each equipped with multiple three-missile launchers and radar systems. According to Forbes’ analysis, this would represent nearly a third of Ukraine’s air defense force, which has been transitioning from Soviet-era equipment to Western systems since the conflict began in 2022.

Although the HAWK is over 60 years old, the system offers several advantages: It’s mobile, reliable, and effective against drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Importantly, its missiles are compatible with Ukraine’s modern NASAMS air defense systems, potentially allowing integration with more advanced radar capabilities to counter jamming vulnerabilities.

Forbes reports that the deal, negotiated in 2023, involves approximately a dozen batteries with around a hundred launchers that Taiwan has been phasing out since 2015. For Ukraine, this diversification is crucial, providing access to multiple missile supply chains to maintain its air defense against ongoing Russian attacks.

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