Moscow’s new strategies for defeating western precision ammo: WSJ
3 Min Read
Although some Western weapons still strike high-value targets effectively, there is an expectation that Russia will eventually develop methods to neutralize these new threats as well.
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In this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry on July 10, 2024, a Russian soldier of the grouping of troops "Dnepr" fires from D-30 howitzer towards Ukrainian positions on the right bank of Dnieper river (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)
The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday published a report detailing how the Russian Armed Forces have managed to decrease the effectiveness of Western precision weapons by developing effective counter-measure strategies.
For instance, when introduced into the Ukrainian battlefield in the summer of 2022, the Excalibur artillery round was highly effective. Its precision allowed Ukrainian forces to target Russian positions accurately and with significant impact, thus contributing to a strategic advantage for Ukraine.
Within weeks, the effectiveness of the Excalibur rounds diminished. Russian forces used their electronic warfare capabilities to disrupt or jam the GPS signals that guide these shells. This led to problems such as shells missing their targets, failing to detonate, or experiencing other malfunctions.
As a result, by the middle of last year, Excalibur munitions were no longer employed by Ukrainian forces, as they had become ineffective.
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Another example mentioned is the use of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). HIMARS is a Western rocket artillery system known for its precision and effectiveness and played a significant role in turning the tide in Ukraine’s favor in the summer of 2022.
However, Russian electronic countermeasures targeted the GPS systems used by HIMARS for missile guidance, reducing the precision of these missiles over time.
The GLSDB is another relatively new munition developed by Boeing and Saab. It is designed to be launched from ground-based platforms and offers precision targeting capabilities similar to Excalibur.
After its introduction in recent months, the GLSDB faced significant issues due to Russian electronic warfare, resulting in its failure to perform as intended. This has led to the system being put on hold for overhaul or reassessment, the report says.
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While some Western precision weapons continue to be effective, there is a looming challenge. Russian forces are likely to continue developing new countermeasures against these advanced technologies.
The pattern observed is that as new technologies are introduced, Russia’s ability to adapt and counteract these technologies evolves as well. This creates a cycle where technological superiority is constantly contested, the report notes.
The piece concludes with the observation that although some Western weapons still strike high-value targets effectively, there is an expectation that Russia will eventually develop methods to neutralize these new threats as well.
