Yesterday, April 9, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense (DSCA) published a message announcing that the Pentagon decided to approve the possible sale to Ukraine of "HAWK Phase III Missile System Sustainment and related elements of logistics and program support." The estimated contract value is USD 138 million.
As noted by DSCA, the government of Ukraine requested to buy "sustainment-related articles and services" for the available HAWK Phase III anti-aircraft missile systems, earlier provided to Ukrainian forces by multiple partner countries.
Read more: The UK Joins Germany in Searching for Patriot, Other SAM Systems for Ukraine
The items and services in question are, as summarized by Defense Express:
- modernization and systematic repair of HAWK air defense fire units;
- spare parts for those repairs;
- tool kits;
- missile recertification components;
- test and support equipment;
- technical documentation;
- U.S. Government and contractor technical and field office support;
- personnel training and other related elements of logistics and program support.
For Ukraine today, in the absence of approved defense assistance from the United States, and especially under constant russian missile and drone attacks, the importance of a timely service to the existing arsenal of air defense systems is hard to overestimate. "Maintaining and sustaining the HAWK missile system will enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend its people and protect critical national infrastructure," the DSCA message reads.
Archive video: Ukrainian MIM-23 HAWKs take down russian Shahed-136/131, October 2023:
DSCA also emphasizes that the Secretary of State has "determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists," and an immediate sale of the above-mentioned goods and services to Ukraine is serving the interests of U.S. national security, thus was able to waive the congressional review, usually required under the U.S. arms export law regulations.
What's important in the context of this news is that Washington will not only just repair but also modernize HAWK Phase III systems currently in service with Ukrainian forces. As mentioned, the HAWK fire units will be integrated with "communications and interoperability," refurbished and overhauled.
As for the sources of financing, the funds will be taken from the $300 million grant that Ukraine received as part of the defense funding bill for fiscal 2024, which was fast-tracked through the Congress in late March 2024, six months past the deadline.
Read more: The Ukrainian Air Force Showcased the HAWK Air Defense System for the First Time, Which Demonstrated a 100% Success Rate
