War in Ukraine shattering 'superiority' of US-made weaponry: RS
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The RS states that much of the US weapons' failures are because they heavily rely on GPS, and it is no match for Russia.
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Ukrainian servicemen search a target with a US Stinger air defense missile launcher on the front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Tuesday, May 28, 2024. (AP)
While critics claim that technologically complex US weapons produce unreliable systems in limited quantities because of cost, a report by Responsible Statecraft proves otherwise, stating that the failure of US weapons in Ukraine is much due to the military’s lack of adequate testing.
Successive “game-changing” systems like the Switchblade drone, the M-1 Abrams tank, Patriot air defense missiles, the M777 howitzer, the Excalibur guided 155 mm artillery round, the HIMARS precision missile, GPS-guided bombs, and Skydio drones with artificial intelligence were all transferred to Ukraine. That is when the show of strength began.
For instance, the $60,000 limited-quantity Switchblade drone didn't work against armored targets, and Ukrainian troops chose instead $700 Chinese commercial models bought online, RS reported.
The $10 million Abrams tank kept malfunctioning and was soon taken out of combat. Russia was able to capture at least one, which they added to a display of NATO weaponry in a Moscow park alongside an M777 howitzer and other items. This stands as a plain display of mockery toward the US and its so-called military superiority.
The M777 cannon, known for its accuracy, proved to be too vulnerable in rough conditions. Its barrels frequently wore out and needed replacement in Poland, while its 155 mm ammunition has been suffering from short supply.
Read next: Why US War Tactics Are Failing in Ukraine
The RS states that much of the US weapons' failures, including the HIMARS, are due to the fact that they heavily rely on GPS, which is no match for Russia which has dedicated much effort to developing electronic warfare proven successful at jamming GPS.
Maria Berlinskaya, knowledgeable in Ukraine’s use of drones and head of the country’s aerial reconnaissance support center, recently stated that “most Western systems have proven to be [worthless]” thanks to Russian jamming.
Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported on the faulty nature of American UAVs sent to Ukraine to shift the tide in the war against Russia but ultimately failed.
Silicon Valley company Skydio supplied the Ukrainian army with a fleet of drones to support the frontlines against Russian forces, however, due to Russia's advanced electronic warfare system, the drones malfunctioned, went off course, and got lost.
"The general reputation for every class of U.S. drone in Ukraine is that they don’t work as well as other systems," Skydio's CEO, Adam Bry, said, essentially saying their drones are not the best for battle.
Drone company executives have consistently noted that American-made drones have not proven to be reliable in combat, flunking sales and forcing the government to produce thousands of others as substitutions. Ukrainians on the frontlines and in government have also criticized the more expensive price points US-produced drones encompass considering how easily they experience defects.
Read more: How low-cost drones are exposing global powers' vulnerabilities
