Limited impact: Western arms face challenges in Ukraine conflict
Western military equipment does not always provide Ukraine with an advantage over Russia, even though it may seem technically superior. Relying on technical specifications alone is not the right way to draw accurate conclusions.
Western military equipment, although often regarded as more technically advanced, does not consistently offer Ukraine an upper hand against Russia. For instance, Abrams tanks, despite their esteemed reputation, have suffered losses on the Ukrainian front. General Waldemar Skrzypczak previously explained in an interview with Wirtualna Polska that there are no indestructible tanks, and Abrams tanks are primarily designed to protect the crew's lives.
Equipment without defence systems
The tanks provided to Ukraine lack active defence systems, rendering them vulnerable to attacks by drones and anti-tank missiles. Consequently, the Russians prioritise the destruction of these machines. Additionally, there are relatively few modern tanks, such as Abrams or Leopard 2, compared to older models.
The true significance in the conflict comes from the hundreds of older tanks (or combat vehicles), such as those supplied by Poland or the Czech Republic in 2022. Deliveries of a dozen or several dozen tanks over many months have less impact on the overall outcome of the war.
The role of Western support
Western support, although not always in the form of the latest technology, is vital for Ukraine. An example of this is the HIMARS missile launchers, which significantly affected Russian logistics in 2022. Similarly, the Starlink satellite internet has given Ukraine informational advantages.
Although the technical superiority of Western equipment is sometimes beyond question, as with artillery, it does not always translate into an advantage in combat. Making effective use of equipment requires proper reconnaissance, which is effectively hampered by Russian aviation.
Long-term support as the key to success
Does this imply that Western weapons have no significance in helping Ukrainians gain an advantage on the front line? It depends. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that Western weapons have influenced the battles (such as the aforementioned Starlink and Storm Shadow missiles), but when assessing their effectiveness, it's important to note that many of these are not modern designs.
