The Al Watiya Airbase's MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air defence systems, a symbol of the past, have been replaced by the more advanced and modern HİSAR-O100 systems, a testament to the rapid evolution of military technology.
OSINT account The Libya Update has shared satellite imagery of the base with upgraded MIM-23 Hawk SAMs deployed by Turkiye and the recent ones showing HİSAR-O100 launchers located in the area where Hawks were stationed.
As HİSAR-O100 is carried on a 6x6 truck while MIM-23 Hawk is towed, it is fairly easy to identify the two systems apart. Another instance of Turkiye deploying its new air defence systems is the deployment of KORKUT-100/35S SPAAG, which features two 35 mm revolver cannons capable of firing ATOM air-burst ammunition.
Al Watiya Airbase, a pivotal military facility for both the Libyan Government of National Accords (GNA) and Turkiye, has witnessed a significant shift. The latter, Turkiye, has been instrumental in providing substantial equipment to the GNA forces, particularly in the wake of intense conflicts with the illegal Haftar Armed Forces and ongoing battles against smugglers and terrorist groups.
Compared to the modernised Hawk SAM, the HİSAR-O100 offers advantages in engagement flexibility and missile characteristics. Where Hawk has to rotate its turret towards the target, HİSAR-O100's vertical launch capability reduces the time spent before firing, a matter of importance, especially at short and medium ranges.
Secondly, HİSAR-O100 has an advantage in missiles with IIR and active RF seeker missile options, while Hawk's missiles are semi-active RF-guided, and the target has to be illuminated all the way. Additionally, within this subject, HİSAR-O+ and HİSAR-O RF missiles' dual-pulse propulsion contributes to interception chances with a final ignition at the approach to the target.
