The United States has approved a possible $108.1 million Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine to help maintain the HAWK air defense systems, the US State Department announced.
According to the statement, Kyiv requested erectable mast trailers, maintenance and major-modification support, spare parts, consumables, repair and return services, as well as engineering, technical, and logistics assistance from the US government and contractors for the FrankenSAM HAWK missile systems.
The main contractor for the project will be Sierra Nevada Corporation, based in Englewood, Colorado.
In its statement, the State Department said the proposed sale would support US foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening “the security of a partner country that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe.”
Washington added that the package would help Ukraine address “current and future threats” by reinforcing its integrated air defense capabilities for self-defense and regional security missions.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the statement says, adding that the transfer would have “no adverse impact on US defense readiness.”
What is the HAWK system?
The HAWK – short for “Homing All the Way Killer” – is a US-developed medium-range surface-to-air missile system originally designed during the Cold War to destroy aircraft and later adapted to intercept cruise missiles and drones.
While older than systems such as the Patriot missile system, upgraded HAWK batteries remain operational in multiple countries and continue to provide effective medium-range air defense coverage.
Ukraine has received HAWK systems and missiles from Western allies since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, using them as part of a layered defense network against persistent Russian missile and drone attacks.
According to the open-source war equipment monitoring site Oryx, Ukraine likely received around five HAWK systems from the US, Spain, and the Netherlands.
The FrankenSAM program referenced in the announcement combines Soviet-era Ukrainian air defense platforms with Western missiles and radar technology, allowing Kyiv to integrate NATO-standard munitions into existing systems more quickly and at lower cost.