Almost a third of Ukraine's air defense forces consist of HAWK SAM systems handed over to Taiwan - Forbes.

According to Forbes, the Ukrainian military received HAWK SAM batteries from Taiwan.

A former Pentagon official stated that this deal makes Taiwan one of Ukraine's main allies in defense against air threats.

Earlier reports of an agreement between Ukraine and Taiwan with support from the US. MIM-23 Homing All-the-Way Killer SAM batteries will be added to the HAWK batteries provided to Ukraine by the US and Spain.

Now the Ukrainian Armed Forces will have up to 15 Raytheon HAWK batteries, each consisting of six launcher units and associated radars.

According to Forbes, at the start of a full-scale war, Ukraine had about 50 SAM batteries, mainly S-300 and other Soviet models. Therefore, the HAWK can make up about a third of Ukraine's air defense.

The HAWK system has been in use for over 60 years and is simple, reliable, and mobile. It can effectively counter slow drones, cruise missiles, and manned aircraft. In addition, HAWK missiles are compatible with another air defense system used by Ukraine - NASAMS.

Last year, US representatives negotiated with Taiwan for the purchase of HAWK batteries, including a hundred launcher units that Taiwanese troops retired in 2015.

'The more compatible SAM systems Ukraine uses, the more options it has to arm these systems with spare missiles when they confront Russian missiles and drones. Several countries use or operate HAWK batteries. Ukraine should be able to receive hundreds of missiles directly from the US or without US intervention,' they emphasize in the publication.

The HAWK is not the best Ukrainian air defense system, but it can be used up to 50 km away to combat aerial targets.

Forbes notes that the main drawback of the system is the radar's sensitivity to obstacles. But this can be solved by replacing old missiles and launcher units with more modern NASAMS radars.

Taiwan also plans to purchase a large amount of military equipment from the US to demonstrate its determination to defend itself.