Artillery emerges as decisive force in Ukraine conflict
The Spanish newspaper El Mundo commented on the effectiveness of various types of weapons in the war in Ukraine. The article suggested that technologically advanced weapons, such as ATACMS missiles, F-16 fighters, Abrams tanks, and drones, are not as important as seemingly outdated artillery.
According to the Spanish daily, M1 Abrams, advanced combat tanks provided to Ukraine by the United States, have less value on the battlefield than seemingly outdated weapons like howitzers and anti-personnel mines. For this reason, Putin's army gains an advantage because it can still supply artillery systems from its stockpiles to the front and acquire them from allies.
The most important weapons in the war in Ukraine
Artillery, known in Russia as the "queen of war", plays a vital role in the armed conflict. "El Mundo" described it as Russia's main advantage over the West. The production of artillery, its reserves, and the ability to mobilise additional soldiers are decisive factors in the current war.
Peter Flory, a former NATO Assistant Secretary General, stated that the war in Ukraine resembles the Battle of the Somme from World War I, but with the use of GPS systems that significantly improve artillery precision.
Post-Soviet artillery vs. NATO systems
The Russians use artillery systems with diameters of 122 mm and 152 mm. The 2S3 Akatsiya, 2S5 Giatsint, and 2S19 Msta howitzers are most commonly seen on the front. Over 1,000 days of war and significant losses (over 800 self-propelled artillery guns) have left an impact, as the Russians are beginning to experience difficulties in quickly delivering more artillery systems to the front from their slowly depleting stockpiles. According to analysts, this is why they have decided to seek aid from North Korea in the form of M1989 "Koksan" guns.
The Ukrainian army consists of a mix of post-Soviet artillery and much newer systems provided by NATO allies, where 155 mm shells are standard. The defending army uses Polish Krabs, German PzH-2000s, and French CAESARs, among others. Ukrainians are also developing their own 2S22 Bohdana howitzer, which also uses 155 mm shells.
"Uncomplicated technology, without the splendour of artificial intelligence-based weapon systems, remains decisive on the 21st-century battlefield," summarises "El Mundo."
