Ukraine as a test site for foreign weapons
Czech weaponhanded over to Ukraine in February-March. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic
Foreign states, not really hiding it, are using Ukraine as a testing ground for testing their weapons and equipment. A number of foreign models, both already known and completely new, were able to undergo additional testing in the conditions of hostilities against a technically advanced enemy. In turn, the Kyiv regime encourages them to continue this practice - and to transfer new samples to it.
Requests and suggestions
In response to numerous requests from the Kyiv regime, foreign partners are supplying it with various weapons and equipment. A significant part of such assistance is made up of outdated samples of Soviet and NATO standards, incl. long out of service. Nevertheless, modern developments were also actively transferred.
All these deliveries have minimal impact on the overall situation, and Kyiv is trying to beg for new and more effective weapons. In particular, for some time now they have been trying to turn not to foreign authorities, but directly to arms manufacturers. They are offered to use Ukraine as a testing ground for new and promising samples.
It should be noted that such "tests" have been conducted for a long time and began before the invitations of the Ukrainian authorities. In recent months, Kyiv has been repeatedly provided with modern weapons of a number of classes. Some of them are used for the first time in a real armed conflict. Others have already been used on the battlefield, but have not yet encountered a well-equipped and trained enemy.
At the same time, not only well-known samples that are in service with foreign states are supplied to Ukraine. It is known about the transfer of experimental equipment for conducting original military tests before being put into service. In addition, some products are designed specifically for the Kyiv regime.
The first batch of NLAW grenade launchers, January 2022. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
First time in combat
An interesting fact is that in all foreign aid packages there were only a few really new samples that had not previously been used on the battlefield. The number of specially designed products, despite all the promises of the recent past, is also small.
The first real novelty was the Phoenix Ghost loitering ammunition developed by Aevex Aerospace. It is reported that it was created taking into account the wishes of the Kyiv regime and on the basis of existing developments. The latter made it possible to complete the project in the shortest possible time, and by the end of spring, the finished UAVs were delivered to the customer. It was reported about the delivery of a batch of 120 devices. Whether production continued after this is unknown.
In the future, evidence of the use of such weapons repeatedly appeared, and the Phoenix Ghost was far from always able to solve the task. A significant part of such products was shot down on approach to the target or suppressed by means of electronic warfare.
A few days ago, it became known about the appearance in Ukraine of another unmanned complex, this time a marine one. An unknown foreign country handed over to the Kyiv regime an unmanned boat (or boats), presumably designed for reconnaissance and/or sabotage. The type of this item is unknown; boats of this type have not previously appeared in open publications. The supply of this equipment was also not reported.
So far, only one case of using such a technique is known, and unsuccessful. The boat, performing a certain task, ended up on the shore, where it was discovered. Obviously, this episode will affect the defense of water areas and ports.
The launch of the Switchblade 300 UAV. Photo by the US Department of Defense
Ukraine received a number of foreign anti-UAV systems. In particular, the United States gave her a number of BLADE (Ballistic Low Altitude Drone Engagement) products. This complex was developed at the request of the Pentagon and has been undergoing field tests since 2019. Now in Ukraine, original military tests have begun in a real situation.
By the end of the year, the delivery of the Norwegian-American NASAMS air defense systems is expected. This is not the newest development, and it has been in service with different countries for a long time. However, complexes of this type have never participated in hostilities. Accordingly, the transfer of such equipment to Ukraine will allow us to see and determine the real capabilities of such an air defense system.
To clarify the characteristics
The bulk of modern foreign weapons were modern models created relatively long ago and used in other conflicts. However, the nature of those hostilities did not allow to fully test such weapons. Now there is an opportunity to test it in battles against a developed and equipped enemy.
Foreign states transferred various anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in large quantities. The American FGM-148 Javelin ATGM received special advertising. It has been used in other conflicts in the past and is said to have performed well. In Ukraine, such weapons have again found widespread use, but showed modest results. In addition, serious operational problems have been identified.
Subsequently, the transfer of modern American M777 howitzers was widely advertised. Later, corrected shells were added to them. Such artillery systems have high performance and can be useful if used correctly. However, the Kyiv regime uses them to shell cities and civilian objects. In addition, the Russian army has established a counter-battery fight and regularly knocks out Ukrainian howitzers.
Self-propelled guns PzH 2000 of the land forces of the Netherlands. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands
A similar situation is observed with rocket artillery. Several dozen M270 and M142 MLRS, as well as extended-range corrected ammunition, were handed over to Kyiv. The advantages of such weapons are again used to attack civilian objects and infrastructure. This demonstrates the limited potential of the MLRS in some situations. For example, M142s regularly bombard the Antonovsky bridge in Kherson, but so far they have not been able to destroy it.
Germany and the Netherlands allocated a number of PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers. These products confirmed some of the calculated characteristics, but faced new problems. Due to intensive operation, the equipment produces a resource faster, both as a whole and individual units. In the past PzH 2000 did not have to work like this, and this problem did not manifest itself.
UAVs of various types are actively transferred to Ukraine, incl. shock destination. In particular, several hundred of the Switchblade series loitering munitions have been delivered. They are trying to use them with varying success in different sectors of the front. In addition, like other weapons, these UAVs are used against infrastructure and civilian objects.
Goals and objectives
Foreign partners provide Ukraine with weapons and equipment for several reasons. First of all, they pursue their political goals and seek to prevent Russia from fulfilling its tasks. In addition, there is an economic interest: significant funds are allocated for assistance, which can be used for profit.
In this situation, there are also factors directly related to weapons and equipment. Thus, foreign armies and manufacturers are interested in demonstrating their products in a real conflict. It is assumed that such advertising will interest potential customers and contribute to obtaining new contracts.
Howitzer M777 and its tractor a second before the defeat. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In addition, Ukraine is seen as a testing ground for additional weapons testing. Unlike the local conflicts of recent decades, this time the enemy is a full-fledged army, developed, trained and well-equipped. Foreign experts use the hands of the Kyiv regime to check the Javelin anti-tank systems in battle with modern Russian tanks, determine the ability of M142 shells to break through air defenses, etc.
Obviously, specialists from foreign military departments and manufacturing companies collect all such data and conduct a thorough analysis. According to its results, certain modernizations of weapons will be carried out, aimed at improving their characteristics, reliability and efficiency.
In some cases, we are not talking about a new stage of testing, but about the first full-fledged verification of a promising product. In this case, the results of combat use will be taken into account at the debugging stage. Accordingly, after it, a new stage of checks on the battlefield is possible. For example, Phoenix Ghost UAVs can now undergo such refinement. The first batch of 100-120 units. showed its pros and cons, and now the project is being improved so that the following products are more effective.
Polygon country
Thus, foreign partners really use Ukraine as a testing ground for testing their weapons, equipment, other materiel, control loops, tactics, etc. At the same time, such tests began long before the corresponding invitations from the Kyiv regime. Obviously, in recent months they have made it possible to collect a lot of important information, which is now being studied by specialized organizations and will affect the further development of NATO weapons and armies.
The United States and its partners have already announced the transfer of new models of equipment and weapons to Ukraine, which will again be tested in battle. Foreign countries will again collect valuable information and use it for their own benefit. And the Ukrainian formations will again be given the role of testers, who will be exposed to a variety of risks for the sake of someone else's benefit.
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