The Dutch Defence Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, has recently announced that the Netherlands will allocate €150 million to support the provision of I-HAWK medium-range air defence systems to Ukraine. 

The announcement came following the latest session of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, held in Brussels, where representatives from over 50 countries gathered to coordinate military aid in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression.

The I-HAWK systems will be procured and delivered in collaboration with the United Kingdom, as part of a joint initiative to bolster Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. This contribution comes at a critical juncture, as Ukraine continues to endure relentless aerial attacks targeting its infrastructure, energy grid, and civilian areas.

The deployment of medium-range systems like the I-HAWK is regarded as vital in protecting both military positions and populated areas from continuous missile and drone assaults.

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The I-HAWK (Improved Homing All the Way Killer) is an enhanced version of the original American Hawk missile platform. It features a semi-active radar-guided interceptor capable of engaging threats at distances of up to 40 kilometres and altitudes of 18 kilometres. Its warhead, equipped with high-explosive fragmentation, offers considerable lethality against enemy aircraft, UAVs, and tactical ballistic missiles.

One of the I-HAWK’s key advantages lies in its advanced radar suite, which includes:

• the AN/MPQ-50 pulse acquisition radar and 
• the AN/MPQ-51 high-power illuminator rada

These systems enable precise detection and tracking of incoming threats and are supported by electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) features to preserve operational functionality under electronic warfare conditions.

Its command and control system integrates modern digital processors for real-time threat analysis and coordination. The I-HAWK can also interface with other air defence systems, enhancing its role within a broader defensive network. Its mobility and modularity, facilitated by deployment on tactical vehicles, render it adaptable to a wide range of operational environments.

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Capable of intercepting both low- and high-altitude threats at speeds exceeding Mach 2, the I-HAWK combines precision, velocity, and resilience. Its design supports both fixed and mobile deployments, enabling it to respond effectively to the dynamic conditions of modern warfare. Ongoing updates to its radar and missile technologies have ensured its continued operational relevance.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the Netherlands has emerged as a key defence partner to Ukraine, committing nearly €10 billion in military assistance. 

This support has included the transfer of F-16 fighter jets, components of the Patriot air defence system, various armoured vehicles, and heavy artillery units.

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