Ukraine’s defences are thin - so why is Russia not winning? | Defence in Depth
TLDRThe script discusses the current state of warfare, particularly focusing on the challenges tanks face in modern battlefields with the rise of drones. It highlights the US military's development of electronic warfare systems, such as the Drone Restricted Access Using NW (DRUNE) system, and the Russian T14 Armata tank's vulnerability to airborne attacks. The narrative also touches on the evolving technology in drones and the ethical considerations surrounding their use. Additionally, it critiques Ukraine's defensive strategy against Russia's advancements, emphasizing the need for a robust defensive line and the potential impact of Western support on the conflict.
Takeaways
- 🚀 The T14 Armata tank is considered vulnerable to airborne attack, leading to its limited deployment by the Kremlin.
- 🛡️ Modern warfare emphasizes the importance of balancing firepower, mobility, and protection, with tanks being the optimal blend of these elements.
- 🥊 The conflict in Ukraine has challenged traditional battlefield concepts, with drones playing a significant role in identifying and attacking targets.
- 🤖 Advances in AI and miniaturization of technology are expected to enable drones with automatic target recognition capabilities in the near future.
- 🛠️ Electronic warfare systems, such as the Drone Restricted Access Using NW (DRUNE) and ship nautical or otherwise photographic interpretation and exploitation teams (SNOOTY), are being developed by the US to counter drone threats.
- 🇷🇺 Russia is also developing its electronic warfare capabilities, including the 'Vules' system, to counter the drone threat in the battlefield.
- 🔌 Jamming technologies disrupt the radio signals controlling drones, forcing them to lose their targets or return to base.
- 🏹 The current conflict has highlighted the need for military platforms and individual soldiers to have defenses against drone attacks.
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine's defensive efforts have been criticized for not establishing a multi-layered defensive line comparable to Russia's Surin line.
- 🔄 The reluctance to invest in defensive infrastructure due to the perception of it being an admission of defeat is a challenge faced by Ukrainian military strategy.
Q & A
What is the main balance that a tank needs to maintain on the battlefield?
-A tank needs to maintain an optimum blend of firepower, mobility, and protection on the battlefield, often referred to as the 'Holy Trinity' by the Royal Armored Corps.
How has the conflict in Ukraine changed traditional notions of the battlefield?
-The conflict in Ukraine has rendered traditional notions of the battlefield obsolete, with the rise of drones, particularly first-person view drones, which can attack specific parts of enemy tanks, thus negating the need to target heavily armored front sections.
What are some of the electronic warfare systems developed by the US to combat drones?
-The US has developed electronic warfare systems such as the Drone Restricted Access Using NW (DREAD) system and ship nautical or otherwise photographic interpretation and exploitation teams, also known as 'Snoopy teams', which use the Drake system and other short-range electronic warfare kits.
How do electronic jammers counteract drones?
-Electronic jammers counteract drones by cutting the radio signal that must be maintained in an uninterrupted line of sight from the controller to the drone, causing the drone to lose its target, hover until battery exhaustion, return to base, or move to a predetermined safe location.
What challenges do current tactical drones face in terms of technology?
-Current tactical drones face limitations in space and computing technology due to their small size, which restricts their ability to carry advanced AI systems for automatic target recognition and decision-making, although these limitations are expected to decrease with technological advancements.
Why hasn't Russia deployed the T-14 Armata tank in Ukraine?
-Russia has not deployed the T-14 Armata tank in Ukraine to avoid risking the prestigious military equipment in a conflict where it could be vulnerable to drone attacks and other electronic warfare, which would be detrimental to Moscow's image and the political and military reputation of the local commanders.
What are the criticisms regarding Ukraine's defensive lines?
-Ukraine's defensive lines have been criticized for not being as robust or multi-layered as Russia's Surin line. They are seen as consisting mostly of basic ditches and lacking the necessary fortified positions and overhead protection, which are essential for an effective defense.
What mindset is hindering the construction of a proper defensive line in Ukraine?
-The old Soviet mindset that views defensive investments as an admission of defeat is hindering the construction of a proper defensive line in Ukraine. This mindset discourages proactive defensive measures in favor of a perceived continuous offensive strategy.
How do Western armies view defensive lines?
-Western armies view defensive lines not as a passive act but as a strategic springboard from which to launch aggressive and effective counterattacks against the enemy, with well-constructed lines featuring mutually supporting positions, reserves, and deception plans.
What is the current situation of Ukraine's front-line troops?
-Ukraine's front-line troops are reported to be tired, poorly trained, or ill-equipped, and they lack the necessary resources to construct proper fighting positions and defensive lines, which history has shown to be ineffective, such as simple ditches and Dragon's Teeth.
What is the role of drones and electronic warfare in modern conflict?
-Drones and electronic warfare play a crucial role in modern conflict by providing surveillance, targeting, and defense capabilities against enemy attacks. They are essential in countering drone threats and electronic disruptions, thus shaping the dynamics of warfare and requiring new defensive strategies.
Outlines
💥 Military Technology and the T14 Armata Tank
This paragraph discusses the T14 Armata tank, a Russian main battle tank, and its vulnerabilities in modern warfare, particularly against drone attacks. It highlights the importance of a balance between firepower, mobility, and protection in tank design, and how traditional battlefield tactics are being challenged by the use of drones. The paragraph also touches on the US military's development of electronic warfare systems, like the 'Ghostbusters' team, to counter drone threats, and Russia's efforts in electronic warfare technology.
📡 Drone Countermeasures and the Evolution of Warfare
The second paragraph delves into the countermeasures against drones used in modern conflict zones, such as Ukraine. It explains how electronic jammers disrupt the control signals of drones, forcing them to lose their targets or return to base. The paragraph also discusses the advancements in artificial intelligence and its potential to enable drones with automatic target recognition capabilities. This raises ethical concerns about the future of warfare, as technology evolves faster than the ability to regulate it. The paragraph concludes with a note on the reluctance of Ukrainian forces to invest in large-scale defensive lines due to historical and ideological reasons.
🛡️ The Importance of Defensive Strategies in Modern Conflict
The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of well-constructed defensive lines in warfare, challenging the old Soviet mindset that views such defenses as an admission of defeat. It contrasts this with Western military perspectives, which see defensive lines as a platform for aggressive strategies. The paragraph also highlights the need for mutually supporting positions, reserves, and deception plans in defensive strategies. It references a visit to Ukraine by a podcast team and insights from Colonel Roman Kosenko, a former Special Forces Commander, who criticizes the lack of a proper defensive line in Ukraine. The paragraph ends with a call for a more strategic approach to defense and the potential challenges that Ukraine faces with limited support from Western allies.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡T14 Armata tank
💡Ghostbusters
💡Electronic Warfare
💡Drones
💡Francis Drake
💡Ukraine Conflict
💡Defensive Fortifications
💡Artificial Intelligence
💡Machine Learning
💡DRUN (Drone Restricted Access Using NW)
💡Vules
Highlights
The T14 Armata tank is considered vulnerable to airborne attack, leading to its limited use.
Ukraine's forces appear to be on the back foot, lacking effective defensive fortifications.
The US military has developed electronic warfare systems, such as the Drone Restricted Access Using NW (DRAKE) system, to combat drones.
Sailors are using the DRAKE system and other electronic warfare kits to defend against drones at sea.
Russia has been developing its own electronic warfare systems to counter the drone threat.
Drones, especially those operated by soldiers with remote headsets, can exploit the weaknesses of traditional armored vehicles.
Electronic warfare jammers can disrupt the radio signals controlling drones, causing them to lose their targets.
Advances in AI and miniaturization of technology may soon allow tactical drones to automatically recognize and engage targets.
The ethical considerations of drone technology are lagging behind its rapid development.
Russia is cautious about deploying the T14 Armata in Ukraine to avoid potential embarrassment or damage to Putin's image.
Ukraine has been criticized for not establishing a robust defensive line similar to Russia's Surin line.
Investment in a multi-layered defensive line requires time, manpower, and resources.
Some Ukrainian commanders are reluctant to accept the need for a strong defensive line due to old Soviet mindset.
Western armies view a properly constructed defensive line as a platform for aggressive and effective strategy.
Ukraine's frontline troops are holding back the Russian army with a fighting spirit and limited resources.
The West's pledged support to Ukraine may not be sufficient due to supply line constraints.
The situation in Ukraine emphasizes the importance of underground and in-depth defensive strategies.