Lessons for Indian Army from Russia-Ukraine war

 By-Kartikeya Semwal

It has been over 10 months since Russia attacked Ukraine last year in February 2022. Yet, despite being more powerful and having bigger army, Russia hasn’t been able to defeat Ukraine and its hard-fighting combat troops. There are more than one reasons for that. First is that Russia is fighting an open war while Ukrainian troops are fighting Guerrilla war. This means that the attacking Russian troops remain in open while Ukrainian forces remain hidden. They attack in small groups, appear suddenly out of nowhere, attack and get away. That’s one big reason why they have been able to hold Russian troops for so long. 

Second reason is use of man portable anti-tank guided missiles (MANPAD) systems that Ukrainian troops were supplied by US-UK and European countries. They used them precisely to suddenly attack, hit and destroy Russian tanks and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and run away to safety. This was one main reason why Russian troops lost so many tanks and IFVs. 

The third and most important one was drones. Ukraine’s forces have been supplied by different types of drones that they used for surveillance, information-gathering and for carrying out sudden yet devastating drone-strikes on Russian army. Russian army suffered heavy casualties due to drone-strike. It was only on the onset of winters that Russia too learnt the lesson and started using drones to attack Ukrainian troops. 

The fourth and final reason is air defense systems. US-UK and European countries have supplied Ukraine with different types of air-defense systems that have played a vital role in hitting Russian fighter jets and attack helicopters. Russia lost atleast 25 of its frontline and latest Ka-52 attack helicopters and a dozen Su series of jets to these air-defense systems. 

Tapas drone


Now we all know that our eastern neighbour China has a lot of tanks, IFVs, attack choppers and fighter jets. Indian Army can use similar tactics to counterattack China’s huge army. India has already developed its own Nag ATGM and its chopper-mounted Helina ATGM which it can use to hit & destroy Chinese tanks and IFVs. China has a huge rocket force that has different types of missiles mounted on trucks. These can be hit and rendered useless through drone-strikes. India already has its own Rustom, Tapas and other drones for this role. 

                           
                                     Aakash Air Defense 
As far as air-defense systems are concerned, we have our own Aakash, Prithvi and now MRSAM (medium range surface to air missile) defense system. These can prove to be game-changers to counter Chinese fighter planes. 



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