WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States continued training Ukrainian operators of Patriot and HAWK surface-to-air missile systems during the first quarter of 2026, while Washington approved a $108.1 million sustainment package for HAWK equipment and Ukraine moved to secure more Patriot interceptor missiles through European Union funding and allied stockpiles.
Details of the training were included in the latest Operation Atlantic Resolve report submitted to the U.S. Congress, covering January through March 2026. Military analyst Jeff21461 highlighted the report's findings on X.
🇺🇦🇺🇸 The USA provided training for Ukrainian Patriot and HAWK operators during Q1 of 2026.
— Jeff2146🇧🇪 (@Jeff21461) July 2, 2026
Patriot training focused on intermediate and depot-level maintenance training. At the same time, Patriot systems have also been retrograded out of Ukraine for depot-level maintenance.… pic.twitter.com/GQtr4ur9ge
For Ukrainian crews operating the MIM-104 Patriot, the training focused on intermediate- and depot-level maintenance. The report says some Patriot systems deployed by Ukraine were temporarily taken out of the country to undergo scheduled higher-level maintenance before returning to service. It does not disclose how many Ukrainian personnel completed the courses.
The Patriot maintenance program is intended to help Ukrainian forces perform more complex repairs and sustain the systems in service after they were transferred by partner nations.
Training for the MIM-23 HAWK covered system operation, combat employment, missile handling and routine maintenance. Two platform training courses were conducted through the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. The report also does not specify the number of Ukrainian personnel trained.
HAWK batteries first entered Ukrainian service in late 2022 after deliveries from the United States and other partner countries. Spain supplied launchers, while the United States provided refurbished missiles. Some of those systems are part of the FrankenSAM program, which combines legacy launchers with updated Western components.
The U.S. Department of State approved a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $108.1 million for Ukraine in May 2026 to support those HAWK batteries.
The package includes erectable mast trailers, spare parts, consumable materials, engineering support, major system modifications, technical assistance, logistics support and repair services provided by the U.S. government and American defense contractors. The sale responds to Ukraine's request for infrastructure and sustainment support for its HAWK air defense systems.
Ukraine is also working to increase its stock of Patriot interceptor missiles. The Ministry of Defence announced this week that it is using funds from a European Union loan to purchase about 100 Patriot interceptors.
Patriot remains the only air defense system in Ukraine's current inventory capable of intercepting certain types of ballistic missile threats, making interceptor availability a priority as global production remains limited and manufacturing lead times continue to be long.
To cover the shortfall, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sent letters to nearly 40 partner nations, requesting the immediate transfer of Patriot interceptor missiles from existing national stockpiles during July. Under the proposal, partner countries would provide missiles now, while Ukraine would replace those stocks later with interceptors from its own future contracted deliveries once production becomes available.
The Operation Atlantic Resolve report does not identify the total number of Patriot or HAWK systems supported during the reporting period, nor does it provide figures for the number of Ukrainian personnel who completed the maintenance and operational training.
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