Russia-Ukraine conflict has changed military thinking in countries around the world
FOA News – Experience from the Russia-Ukraine conflict is beginning to influence the thinking of militaries around the world.
Ukrainian soldiers opened fire on Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia in November. Photo: Reuters
This trend was mentioned in the annual report titled “The Military Balance 2024” developed by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and published on February 13.
The report says that more attention needs to be paid to artillery and kamikaze drones (suicide UAVs or patrol bullets). Anti-UAV systems, as well as the opportunities and risks that unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) can create.
“In many armed forces, interest in UUVs has increased, a trend that predated the conflict. What is driving the interest is that such systems could monitor vulnerable critical national infrastructure, poorly monitored and attackable seabeds,” IISS noted.
According to IISS experts, the fighting in Ukraine shows that modern military conflicts still contain echoes of the past.
For example, with the shift in conflict to a positional confrontation, mines and defensive fortifications, intended to slow down Ukraine’s counteroffensive, have assumed particular importance for Russia.
“Some Western armies focus on programs to train soldiers how to solve and overcome complex obstacles, including trenches,” the report stated.
The Ukrainian army’s counteroffensive campaign in 2023 and criticism of its slow progress. Revealed the misconception that exists in the Western military, that is: when there is an overwhelming advantage in military equipment. There have been opinions that the fighting phase of the conflict will quickly end. The case of “Ukraine reminds us that military conflicts are often protracted,” IISS said.
According to the report, Ukraine has adapted its air defense system to use highly accurate surface-to-air missiles against more sophisticated Russian systems. And mainly use anti-aircraft guns to intercept kamikaze UAVs.
At the end of 2022, the Financial Times daily newspaper, based on the results of a survey of military analysts. Also drawn are conclusions from a year of fighting in Ukraine, including the growing importance of industrial potential and reserves of military equipment in the event of fierce conflict. The key importance of high-tech reconnaissance and traditional combat vehicles, such as tanks.
Source: compiled
