British Army Finds, Studies Russian Weapons in Ukraine

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

Russia’s poor and somewhat questionable combat performance naturally has many people asking questions and wondering about the competency, training or preparedness of its military, not to mention its morale problems. 

Top experts have said the Russians are likely quite poor when it comes to modern applications of Combined Arms Maneuver, and of course many witnessed their logistical, supply and morale problems from the very beginning of the conflict. 

However, what about their weapons? The state and effectiveness of Russia’s weaponry is also a critical factor. Its tanks do not seem to have performed very well and there are likely many questions of great relevance regarding the state of many of their other weapons such as artillery, armored vehicles, rockets and missiles. How modern are they? Has Russia truly maintained or modernized its weapons? Available evidence might suggest that, so a substantial extent, the answer is no. 

The United Kingdom might now be positioned to learn some new detail related to these questions, as they were able to capture Russian weapons, which they are of course now studying closely. 

Captured Russian weapons in Ukraine are being closely studied by the British Army in London, something likely to further solidify insights and technical understanding of Russia’s platforms.

Revelations about the ongoing study of Russian weapons used in Ukraine surfaced in a report in the Drive, which explained that the United Kingdom is conducting “foreign material exploitation.”

Platforms such as T-72 and T-90 tanks are likely already reasonably well known by NATO countries, yet vehicles captured in Ukraine in recent months will let Ukraine forces and NATO allies know what kinds of upgrades, if any, have been woven into the vehicles.