U.S. DECISION PENDING ON TAIWAN’S HAWK MISSILE FUTURE

Why in the news?

Taiwan’s defence minister announced the United States will decide the future of Taiwan’s decommissioned HAWK missiles, a system historically significant but outdated, affecting Taiwan’s strategic defence planning.

source:indianexpress

 

About the HAWK Missile:

  • The HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) MIM-23 is an all-weather, low-to-medium altitude surface-to-air missile system, developed by Raytheon, a prominent American defence company.
  • Originally intended for targeting aircraft, the HAWK system was later upgraded to intercept missiles, with its first deployment in 1960
  • Despite extensive upgrades, it was eventually replaced by the MIM-104 Patriot system in theS. Army by 1994, and phased out entirely from U.S. service in 2002. The U.S. Marine Corps replaced it with the FIM-92 Stinger, a man-portable, infrared-guided missile.

Current Usage and Specifications

  • The HAWK system, despite being outdated, remains operational in various countries, especially among NATO allies, and in regions across Asia and the Middle East.
  • Utilising a Semi-Active Radar Homing (SARH) guidance system, it can engage multiple targets simultaneously and performs well in diverse weather conditions.
  • Transported via the M192 towed triple-missile launcher, the HAWK missile is propelled by a dual-thrust motor, consisting of both boost and sustain phases.
  • Though capable and versatile, the HAWK missile system is generally considered less advanced than contemporary missile defence systems like the Patriot.

About HAWK :

  • HAWK stands for “Homing All the Way Killer”.
  • Entered US Army service in 1959 during the Vietnam War as a medium-range, surface-to-air missile.
  • Received major upgrades, including the I-HAWK (Improved HAWK) in 1971, enhancing kill probability to 85%.
  • Predecessor to Raytheon’s PATRIOT missile defence system of the 1990s.
  • US forces phased out HAWK in early 2000s.