According to Defense Express, the Royal Canadian Air Force has announced the start of decommissioning of CT-155 Hawk trainer aircraft - the local name for the BAE Hawk in the Hawk 115 version. This is part of the country's transition to the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet, which Canadian pilots will be trained to master outside the country - at bases in the United States, Finland, and Italy.
As of now, the 419th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, which was operating the CT-155 Hawk, has reportedly ceased operations since March 8, although it remains an active unit and is due to switch to a new type of training aircraft. However, no timeline for the replacement has been announced, and the model remains uncertain.
In total, we are talking about 17 CT-155 Hawk aircraft, some of which are to be transferred to Borden Air Base to train future ground technicians.
Photo: Defense Express/ RCAF
At the same time, these are aircraft that can hardly be called old in the current context, as their delivery to Canada began in 2000. That is, the oldest Canadian CT-155 Hawk is 24 years old.In this situation, surprisingly enough, the CT-155 Hawk may be of some interest to Ukraine. After all, although we are talking about training aircraft, these are machines that can be easily converted into those capable of performing limited combat missions. In particular, Canadian Hawks can already carry AIM-9 air-to-air missiles.
But it should be noted that this aircraft doesn't have its own radar. But this does not prevent this machine from being used in conjunction with a full-fledged fighter that can provide targeting along with ground services. After all, this is exactly how the Hawk T1A was planned to be used in the UK in the 1980s. It is also known that the Hawk 100 model range, which includes the Canadian version of the aircraft, has an additional infrared forward-looking camera.
Thus, the theoretical role of the CT-155 Hawk as a Shahed-136 catcher looks quite possible, but not limited to it, since its maximum speed is up to 1,482 km/h and its range is up to 2,622 km. This allows us to positively assess the capabilities of this machine to intercept cruise missiles.
In the end, the CT-155 Hawk's well-known and simple design, low cost per flight hour, significantly lower maintenance requirements compared to a full-fledged fighter, and shorter training periods for its mastery may be added in favor of its consideration.