Sunday, July 9, 2023
Unhappy With Ukraine’s Counter Ops, US Moves Away From Precision Strikes To ‘Banned Bombs’ To Hit Russia
Washington’s decision to arm Ukraine with cluster munitions was partially motivated by their dissatisfaction with the underwhelming outcome of Kyiv’s summer counteroffensive, according to Colin Kahl, the US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.
Following the announcement from the White House that President Joe Biden had approved the provision of dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM) to Ukraine, Kahl disclosed that the decision was driven by “the urgency of the moment.”
“We want to make sure that the Ukrainians have sufficient artillery to keep them in the fight in the context of the current counteroffensive, and because things are going a little slower than some had hoped,” he said.
He believes that the Ukrainians are putting forth their best efforts but also acknowledged that the Russians have been more successful in fortifying their positions to a greater extent than initially recognized.
Kahl further stated that the cluster munitions would act as a temporary solution, serving as a “bridge” until the United States and its allies are able to ramp up the production of conventional 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine.
Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, draw 155mm Base Burn Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition rounds, each weighing nearly 100 pounds, and carry into their vehicles during a load exercise directed by the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. (U.S. Army photo/Lt. Gabriel Jenko)
Following months of anticipation, Ukraine’s counteroffensive commenced in early June against Russian positions in several directions, particularly in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. However, they found themselves outmatched by Russian artillery and faced a shortage of air support.
The NATO-trained brigades of Ukraine pushed forward, navigating through minefields laid by the Russians. Tragically, they suffered significant casualties and even lost several vehicles supplied by Western countries.
Despite the significant losses, the US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy asserted that a significant portion of the Ukrainian military strength has not yet been fully utilized or deployed.
“What you’re seeing across the east and the south is the Ukrainians deliberately probing for weak spots. The real test will be when they identify weak spots or create weak spots and generate a breach, how rapidly they’re able to exploit that with the combat power that they have in reserve, and how rapidly the Russians will be able to respond,” Kahl noted.
Why Are Cluster Munitions So Controversial?
The plans to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions have been announced as part of an $800 million military aid package. These munitions, which release numerous mini-bombs over a wide area, have been requested by Ukraine since September 2022.
The US will provide 155-millimeter DPICM artillery rounds from its own military stockpiles, ensuring compatibility with Ukraine’s diverse range of Western-supplied howitzers.
According to Politico, the specific quantity of cluster munitions is unspecified but is estimated to exceed 100,000 DPICMs. Each cluster round has a significantly higher likelihood of causing casualties to both personnel and vehicles compared to a similar-caliber conventional artillery round.
The United States extensively utilized cluster munitions during its 2003 invasion of Iraq. However, over the following two decades, the Pentagon shifted its focus towards counter-insurgency tactics and precision strikes, leading to a change in weapons development priorities.
This shift resulted in a reduced emphasis on munitions designed for wide area coverage and a greater emphasis on precision-guided systems.
Following months of anticipation, Ukraine’s counteroffensive commenced in early June against Russian positions in several directions, particularly in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. However, they found themselves outmatched by Russian artillery and faced a shortage of air support.
The NATO-trained brigades of Ukraine pushed forward, navigating through minefields laid by the Russians. Tragically, they suffered significant casualties and even lost several vehicles supplied by Western countries.
Despite the significant losses, the US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy asserted that a significant portion of the Ukrainian military strength has not yet been fully utilized or deployed.
“What you’re seeing across the east and the south is the Ukrainians deliberately probing for weak spots. The real test will be when they identify weak spots or create weak spots and generate a breach, how rapidly they’re able to exploit that with the combat power that they have in reserve, and how rapidly the Russians will be able to respond,” Kahl noted.
Why Are Cluster Munitions So Controversial?
The plans to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions have been announced as part of an $800 million military aid package. These munitions, which release numerous mini-bombs over a wide area, have been requested by Ukraine since September 2022.
The US will provide 155-millimeter DPICM artillery rounds from its own military stockpiles, ensuring compatibility with Ukraine’s diverse range of Western-supplied howitzers.
According to Politico, the specific quantity of cluster munitions is unspecified but is estimated to exceed 100,000 DPICMs. Each cluster round has a significantly higher likelihood of causing casualties to both personnel and vehicles compared to a similar-caliber conventional artillery round.
The United States extensively utilized cluster munitions during its 2003 invasion of Iraq. However, over the following two decades, the Pentagon shifted its focus towards counter-insurgency tactics and precision strikes, leading to a change in weapons development priorities.
This shift resulted in a reduced emphasis on munitions designed for wide area coverage and a greater emphasis on precision-guided systems.
Cluster munition – Wikipedia
Consequently, the United States ended up with reserves of older cluster munitions originally intended for conventional warfare rather than the ongoing war against Russia.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has already witnessed the use of cluster munitions by both sides.
But, cluster munitions are banned by the majority of countries due to the presence of unexploded bomblets, which can remain a threat for many years, resembling unintentional landmines that pose risks to both friendly forces and civilians.
The wide impact area of cluster munitions also raises concerns about their indiscriminate nature when used in populated areas.
An international convention that aimed to ban cluster munitions was implemented in 2008, and as of 2023, a total of 123 nations had pledged to neither manufacture nor maintain stocks of these weapons. However, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are not signatories to this convention.
Expressing concerns, Human Rights Watch emphasized that transferring such weapons would inevitably inflict long-term suffering upon civilians and undermine the international condemnation of their use.
Amnesty International has called on the Biden administration to recognize that any decision enabling the broader use of cluster bombs in the ongoing war would almost certainly result in one foreseeable outcome: the further loss of civilian lives.
Consequently, the United States ended up with reserves of older cluster munitions originally intended for conventional warfare rather than the ongoing war against Russia.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has already witnessed the use of cluster munitions by both sides.
But, cluster munitions are banned by the majority of countries due to the presence of unexploded bomblets, which can remain a threat for many years, resembling unintentional landmines that pose risks to both friendly forces and civilians.
The wide impact area of cluster munitions also raises concerns about their indiscriminate nature when used in populated areas.
An international convention that aimed to ban cluster munitions was implemented in 2008, and as of 2023, a total of 123 nations had pledged to neither manufacture nor maintain stocks of these weapons. However, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are not signatories to this convention.
Expressing concerns, Human Rights Watch emphasized that transferring such weapons would inevitably inflict long-term suffering upon civilians and undermine the international condemnation of their use.
Amnesty International has called on the Biden administration to recognize that any decision enabling the broader use of cluster bombs in the ongoing war would almost certainly result in one foreseeable outcome: the further loss of civilian lives.
The untold reality is the Yank has run out of arsenals, short of nuclear weapons, to supply to the Ukraine army.
ReplyDeleteCluster bombs r the remaining mothballed store clearance that can use to tie over the tight supply chain requirements!