Popular Mechanics: Five Weapons for Ukraine Opposing Russia
Ukraine is preparing to repel "Russian aggression", and foreign partners are helping it with supplies weapons and other products. Against the backdrop of these processes, Popular Mechanics offered its list of weapons and equipment that are of the greatest value to the Ukrainian army in the current circumstances and with the expected development of the situation.
Five weapons on the wish list
On January 21, Popular Mechanics published an article by military analyst Kyle Mizokami entitled “To Stand Up to Russia, Ukraine Should Have These Five Weapons on Its Wishlist.” Its topic was the current and hypothetical supply of weapons to Ukraine to counter the notorious Russian aggression.
K. Mizokami recalls that the United States recently launched its plan to assist Ukraine by supplying military products worth $200 million. Arms supplies have begun from the UK. Several other NATO countries are getting permission to re-export weapons. However, this is not enough for a full-fledged confrontation with a large neighbor in the face of Russia.
Appropriate weapons are needed to effectively counter the advancing enemy. In this context, the author proposes to consider the strengths of the Russian army and find ways to neutralize them. It is also necessary to identify its weaknesses - to use them for your own purposes.
It is noted that almost a hundred battalion tactical groups, allegedly preparing for an attack, are highly mechanized. Tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are capable of spearheading an offensive. Another important element of such a grouping is artillery, capable of knocking out the defense before the start of the offensive of the main forces.
Tank troops and artillery must ensure victory in the main phase of the conflict. However, the defeat of the Ukrainian army will not lead to the end of the war. K. Mizokami assumes that the remnants of the army and the militia will switch to guerrilla tactics and continue the fight.
The right weapon
The combat capabilities of the Ukrainian army, both in direct confrontation and in partisan operations, are proposed to be increased by adopting or additional deliveries of only five types of weapons. According to K. Mizokami, they will be able to impede the offensive of the "aggressor", and then create problems for him in the occupied territories.
The first in the list of necessary products is the American-made FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system. To date, Ukraine has received almost fifty launchers and 370 missiles for this ATGM. This number of weapons is not enough even for one land brigade. For a full-fledged re-equipment of the army and militias, approx. 1500 installations and at least 5 thousand missiles.
Ukraine has a large number of cannon artillery. It is proposed to supplement it with HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems and a GMLRS missile. The latter, having a range of up to 80 km, will allow shelling enemy targets at great depths - incl. on Russian territory. It is assumed that such weapons will disrupt the normal work of the troops and undermine the morale of the "occupier".
The third useful novelty is the FIM-92 Stinger portable anti-aircraft missile system. Combat aviation and the air defense of the Ukrainian army are extremely weak and will not be able to counteract the Russian Air Force. To combat transport and attack helicopters, as well as UAVs for various purposes, MANPADS are needed.
Ukrainian infantry is proposed to be equipped with binocular night vision devices AN/PVS-15. Such products will be useful in different situations and conditions. So, they will improve the overall combat capabilities during operations at night. In addition, they will increase the combat capability of units engaged in positional battles. Finally, with their help, special forces or partisans will be able to work more effectively behind enemy lines.
Given the Iraqi and Afghan experience of the United States, Popular Mechanics points to the possibility of using a variety of mines and explosive devices. The aggressor will have to use the existing road network, on which Ukrainian troops can organize sabotage. It is assumed that such attacks on supply columns and patrols will undermine the combat capability of the enemy.
Cost-effectiveness
In conclusion, K. Mizokami draws attention to the issues of the cost and effectiveness of weapons and equipment considered for deliveries to Ukraine. These parameters should be at the required level, which will solve the tasks.
An example of this approach is the 5th generation F-35 fighter. Such an aircraft, worth $77 million, could become the most advanced combat unit in a hypothetical Ukrainian-Russian conflict. But only until the first accurate strike on the home airfield, which will disable it.
The same money can be spent on rockets, night vision devices, etc. All these products will disperse in parts and will solve problems. It will not work to destroy it with one blow, unlike a single aircraft. At the same time, it will influence the course of the conflict and gradually reduce the advantages of the “Russian aggressor”.
Suggestions and problems
The current state of the Ukrainian army is such that any supply of modern foreign weapons and equipment in significant quantities will have a positive effect on its combat capability. The publication Popular Mechanics in its article tried to find those samples, the supply of which will allow you to get the maximum result at an acceptable cost.
In general, such an analytical problem was solved, but the real effect from this should not be expected. It is unlikely that the military leadership of Ukraine and friendly countries will listen to the opinion of the press on the topic of arms supplies. He must have his own plans and intentions, which will be put into practice.
Foreign states are already supplying Ukraine with various anti-tank weapons and are ready to transfer other weapons. At the same time, armored vehicles or rocket artillery are not offered to her - and publication in Popular Mechanics is unlikely to change this situation.
However, the supply of such equipment does not guarantee obtaining all the desired results. Combat vehicles of different classes, such as the M142 MLRS, are complex and place high demands on personnel. It is highly doubtful that Ukraine will be able to prepare the calculations with due quality and within a reasonable time frame. Portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems are simpler in this respect and are able to show an acceptable result faster.
Of great interest is the proposal of K. Mizokami and the preparation of a guerrilla mine war. It immediately points to the features of a hypothetical Russian-Ukrainian conflict, namely, the balance of power and the prospects of one of the parties. In fact, we are talking about the fact that even the supply of imported weapons will not allow Ukraine to survive. As a result, her army will have to go underground and use makeshift weapons.
Insufficient measures
Obviously, the proposed list of five positions does not solve all the urgent problems of the Ukrainian army. Outside of its borders, the issues of restoring and building up the air force, air defense, etc. remained. In fact, a kind of plan is proposed for the urgent renewal of individual subunits and units literally on the eve of the expected attack.
Meanwhile, foreign countries continue to transfer various weapons, equipment and auxiliary means to Ukraine to protect against the “insidious and aggressive” Russia. What other products will be sent to the Ukrainian army, and how such deliveries will correspond to the proposals of Popular Mechanics, will become clear in the near future. However, the general results of these processes are already clear.
- Ryabov Kirill
- US Department of Defense, Ukrainian Department of Defense
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