Britain studies captured Russian equipment: demonstration events and dubious plans
Foreign countries support the Kiev regime, and in return demand certain services from it. In particular, the United Kingdom receives from Ukraine trophy samples of Russian-made weapons and equipment for independent study. The results of such studies are used in drawing up plans for the further development of their own armed forces. However, it does not seem that the British army and industry will be able to fully use the knowledge gained.
Subject of interest
Unfortunately, during the current Special Operation, the Russian army, under certain circumstances, loses a certain amount of weapons and equipment, and some of them become enemy trophies. Such products are carefully studied to determine their strengths and weaknesses. At the same time, not only Ukrainian specialists are engaged in the study of Russian materiel.
On the territory of Ukraine there is now a large number of military specialists from NATO countries, mainly from the United States and Great Britain. Among other things, they are trying to gain access to the Russian arms and technology, preferably in the most intact condition. The obtained samples are studied in one way or another on the spot or taken abroad for a more thorough study.
As is now known, a certain number of tanks and other weapons were able to get the UK. It is reported that the British army is not limited to their inspection and examination. The technique is involved in full-scale experiments and tests, the purpose of which is to determine the real characteristics, as well as the formation of new ideas for the development of our own army. Such activities are referred to as Foreign Materiel Exploitation (FME).
Reconnaissance in position
Apparently, some of the new knowledge has already been put into practice. In recent weeks, the British Ministry of Defense has been talking a lot about the formation of a new strategy for the armed forces. A few days ago, the general provisions of the future reform were published. Reportedly, they took into account available information about the hostilities on the Russian-Ukrainian front.
Practical activities
On July 14, another event from the FME series took place at the Lulworth training ground. This time it was not of a research, but of a demonstration nature and was carried out in the presence of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense. Representatives of the press were also allowed to the test site - they were supposed to show British taxpayers how they plan to protect them from a foreign threat.
The units involved in the FME showed the military commanders and the Minister of Defense modern tactics and means of dealing with an advanced enemy. The role of the latter was allegedly played by captured Russian-made materiel - however, little resemblance to our modern tanks. British fighters conditionally fought with her with modern combat and auxiliary means of various kinds.
Serial Challenger 2 and Ajax armored vehicles, equipped with additional new development tools, were demonstrated at the training ground. In particular, the Challenger-2 tank received a set of hinged protection, incl. visor over the tower, as well as a camouflage kit. It is assumed that the new means of additional protection will help the tank cope with current threats.
Motorized grenade launcher awaiting orders
They showed a curious training battle with the participation of infantry, which had to fight with different goals, incl. with armored vehicles of a mock enemy. A group of soldiers advanced to a given area and conducted reconnaissance with the help of a helicopter-type UAV. They also deployed and prepared for combat regular weapons, as well as various radio equipment.
The reconnaissance spotted two approaching Russian-style tanks. Fighters armed with imported Carl Gustaf grenade launchers went to intercept this equipment. They got to the firing line on all-terrain electric motorcycles - fast and quiet. Using the folds of the terrain, artificial obstacles in the form of fragments of target tanks, etc., the grenade launchers took up optimal positions and fired.
Pictures from the exhibition
A few days later, an exhibition of modern weapons and equipment was held at the London base of Wellington Barracks, which was created, allegedly, taking into account the observation of hostilities. During this event, some of the plans for the future regarding specific samples and products were also revealed.
At the exhibition in London, they showed a number of new UAVs with different characteristics and capabilities, including reconnaissance and strike equipment of the middle class. The British Army already has such facilities, but now plans to update and improve the unmanned Aviation taking into account the experience of events in Ukraine.
On the firing line
A special place at the exhibition was occupied by Brimstone missiles in serial and upgraded versions. Together with them, several compatible missile systems were demonstrated, incl. already known. The site included a helicopter carrying such missiles, a truck-based self-propelled launcher, and an unmanned tracked platform with missile launchers.
It is alleged that during the fighting in the Donbass and Ukraine, the Brimstone missiles performed well and confirmed the calculated combat characteristics. In this regard, they are still considered as a promising tool for combating modern armored vehicles and other targets, incl. Russian. For more flexible and efficient use, such missiles are proposed to be placed on a variety of platforms, on land, on water and in the air.
Doubtful prospects
Recent demonstration events and published plans in general reveal the theme of the further development of the British armed forces. In general, it can be argued that London has no reason for optimism. In view of objective problems and limitations, he will have to make cuts and make other sacrifices. In those areas where they can be dispensed with, significant development is not expected.
In the new plans, including the medium and long term, there is no development of a new tank. So far, they plan to get by with only the modernization of the existing Challenger 2. Another version of its minor update was presented at recent events. In parallel, the development and development of the Ajax family of medium armored vehicles will continue.
With all this, they now plan to equip the infantry not only with armored vehicles. To increase the mobility of soldiers in solving some problems, it is proposed to use motorcycles, and with an electric propulsion system. It is argued that such a technique has a number of characteristic advantages that make it useful for the army. However, this will have to put up with obvious shortcomings and risks for personnel.
MBT Challenger 2 with additional protection - the so-called. Challenger Megatron
In the ground forces, robotic platforms and complexes of various kinds should appear and become widespread. They will solve transport problems, conduct reconnaissance, as well as carry and use weapons, incl. guided missiles. Some samples of this class are already being tested and trial operation in the army and receive high marks.
It is argued that army development programs are drawn up taking into account the experience of current hostilities and the study of captured samples of Russian equipment and weapons. At the same time, the plans disclosed and the tactics of combat work shown leave certain questions. It is not clear how British experts, observing the Russian-Ukrainian battles, came to such conclusions.
So, during the Special Operation, the high potential of tanks was once again shown. Despite the emergence of new threats, they remain the most important tool of the ground forces, solve a wide range of tasks and, ultimately, make a decisive contribution to the offensive or defense. However, the British command decided that the further development of tanks could be limited only to the creation of new means of protection.
The recent exhibition gives the impression of an intensified development of the direction of guided missiles and missile systems. It seems that with the help of Brimstone missiles and the like, British military leaders are going to solve an expanded range of tasks, incl. so far assigned to tanks. How correct and viable such a solution is is a big question. Current hostilities show that missiles alone cannot provide a solution to all problems.
It is curious that in the well-known plans of London, a large role is assigned to products of foreign design and production. Thus, the Challenger-2 tanks will be modernized by the German company Rheinmetall, armored vehicles of the Ajax family are assembled with the participation of factories from several countries, Brimstone missiles are made by the international company MBDA, etc. Despite the obvious shortcomings of the current approach, the UK does not plan to increase the localization of production.
Brimstone missile carriers on display
Against the background of all this, the criticism of the Russian industry that uses foreign components looks interesting. The fact that imports only support domestic production of products according to their own projects is simply ignored. In addition, the British side prefers not to notice the disappearance of several industries in their country.
Restrictions and plans
The UK Ministry of Defense says it is closely monitoring ongoing hostilities. In addition, whenever possible, British specialists seek to obtain Russian samples of equipment or weapons for study. Based on the data collected, various conclusions are drawn, which are now taken into account in the development and modernization of our own armed forces. Recently, they even held an open event, during which they showed their ideas and solutions based on the experience gained.
Nevertheless, the developments shown and the plans revealed look extremely strange, and in some places even comical. With up-to-date information almost from the line of contact, British military leaders draw dubious conclusions, and also propose and implement strange concepts. As a result, the full-fledged development of unmanned aircraft is going to begin only now, and instead of further development of armored vehicles, RTKs are being created and electric motorcycles are being tested.
It is well known that until recently the British armed forces were not distinguished by large numbers and high potential. For many years they were saved on them, relying on collective security within NATO. Continued military assistance to the Kyiv regime further worsened the position of the British army.
In such a situation, the UK must make up for voluntary "losses" and take measures to further develop the army. A successful solution to this problem in the current situation looks extremely unlikely. And the study of captured Russian products will not affect the prospects of the British troops in any way - the knowledge and experience gained simply cannot be used to their advantage.
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