Why the US is considering sending Vietnam-era missile system to Ukraine

The US is rumoured to be sending a number of Hawk missile systems to Ukraine, adding to the four already in the country, sent by Spain.

Having been in operation since 1959, the Hawk was used by the US in Vietnam and right up until 2002, although it was mainly superseded by the Patriot missile system in 1994.

So why is the US sending Ukraine a missile system that is past its prime?

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Quite simply, the Hawk missile systems – which have been significantly updated over the years – are available now and in plentiful supply.

A lot of the high-tech weapons systems that have been sent to Ukraine are expensive and it is hard to get the right amount quickly.

The Hawk systems being sent to Ukraine from Spain have been massively updated since the US stopped using them.

Capable of flying up to 65,000ft, reaching speeds of Mach 2.4, the long-range surface-to-air missile has an operational range of 45 to 50km.