The Russian invasion of Ukraine has followed the same brutal pattern as in Chechnya and Syria. Russia has first bombed its targets to pieces, and then sent in ground forces.
The violent use of artillery is crucial for the way Russia is fighting, according to the former defense chief Arne Bård Dalhaug, retired lieutenant general.
Warns about empire plans
– There is no advanced conflict Russia is leading. They shoot and shoot and shoot until they have destroyed most of it, and then send in a wave of ground forces, he says.
Preventing and disrupting Russia’s use of artillery could be crucial to the course of the war, Dalhaug believes. The weapons needed to do so are already making their way into Ukraine’s arsenal.
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Gain before use
One combination of two different types of weapons could force Russia to partially abandon, or at least change, its tactical use of artillery, says the retired lieutenant general.
One type of weapon has been duly mentioned, the other has gone under the public radar.
Recently, both the United States and the United Kingdom promised to supply Ukraine with their own missile artillery systems: respectively Himars and M270 MLRS.
Complaints: – Exhausting
Common to the systems is that they are more far-reaching than the artillery Ukraine already has. In addition, they are very precise and mobile.
– If you have systems the Russians know will reach them, they will change their pattern of operations. You achieve this yourself without shooting. Going forward, Russia will have to drive in, shoot a little, and then move positions, because they know they can be hit. They will spend more time moving ammunition and guns, and less time firing it, says Dalhaug.
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Reduces use and accuracy
In combination with the Himars and M270 MLRS missile artillery systems, an invisible weapon could have a “significant effect”, according to the retired lieutenant general.
– In addition to the artillery systems, there is another thing Ukraine has received, and will continue to receive, much of which is not so visible: Equipment for electronic warfare, says Dalhaug.
– Will destroy Europe
Specifically, he thinks of material that can “jam”, ie disturb and prevent, GPS signals.
– Russian artillery needs to position themselves, and for that they need GPS. If you have electronic warfare equipment that can “jam” or disturb the Russians’ GPS signals, they will not be able to position the artillery correctly and then both the accuracy and use of the artillery system will be reduced, says the retired lieutenant general.
