Air Defense
MIM-23 Hawk
The MIM-23 Hawk is an American medium-range surface-to-air missile system made by Raytheon, in service since 1960. Over 40,000 missiles have been built and 20 or more countries have operated it, and some still use it today.
United States|RaytheonWhat Is the MIM-23 Hawk? Overview, History and Development
The Hawk first flew in 1956 and entered US Army service in 1960. The Improved Hawk (I-Hawk) followed in 1972, and Phase III upgrades came in the 1980s and 1990s. The missile uses semi-active radar homing and is about 5.08 m long, 360 mm in diameter, 627 kg in I-Hawk form, with a 74 kg warhead. Range is about 40 km, ceiling about 18 km and speed about Mach 2.4. Launchers hold three missiles.
The US Army retired the Hawk in 1994 and the Marines in 2002, but many export customers kept it. Over 40,000 missiles were built and 20 or more countries have operated it. Commonly cited current operators are Spain, Greece, Egypt, Kuwait, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Ukraine, where Spain donated missiles and launchers in 2022. Iran also built Hawk-derived Shahin and Mersad missiles. Türkiye was a former operator. Rivals include the S-125 Neva, 2K12 Kub, Patriot and NASAMS.
MIM-23 Hawk Specifications: Range, Altitude, Missiles and Radar
MIM-23 Hawk Variants and Versions Compared
MIM-23A is the original Hawk missile that entered US Army service in 1960.
MIM-23B I-Hawk is the Improved Hawk from 1972 with a more capable missile and radars.
MIM-23E Hawk is a later upgraded missile from the Phase III programme.
Which Countries Use the MIM-23 Hawk? Operators and Users
Spain
Greece
Egypt
Kuwait
Iran
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Bahrain
Jordan
South Korea
Thailand
Taiwan
UkraineMIM-23 Hawk FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
What is the range of the MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk has a range of about 40 km in I-Hawk form and a ceiling of about 18 km. It flies at about Mach 2.4 with semi-active radar homing.
Which countries still use the MIM-23 Hawk?
Commonly cited operators of the MIM-23 Hawk include Spain, Greece, Egypt, Kuwait, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Ukraine. Many are replacing it with Patriot, NASAMS or IRIS-T SLM.
Does Ukraine use the Hawk missile?
Yes, Ukraine uses the MIM-23 Hawk, after Spain donated missiles and launchers in 2022. The system serves as a legacy medium-range air defence.
Which Arab countries use the Hawk?
The Arab operators of the MIM-23 Hawk are Egypt, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan. It has long served as a Gulf point-defence missile.
When did the US retire the Hawk?
The US Army retired the MIM-23 Hawk in 1994 and the US Marines in 2002. The system entered service in 1960.
Hawk vs Patriot: what is the difference?
The MIM-23 Hawk is an older system with a range of about 40 km and semi-active radar homing, while the Patriot is a more modern long-range system also capable against ballistic missiles. Many Hawk users are replacing it.