Colonel Khodorenko: the use of expired missiles in Ukraine is dangerous for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Former Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny wants the United States to send expired weapons to Ukraine. In particular, we are talking about decommissioned Hellfire missiles. Can the United States take such a step, what is the danger of expired weapons and what does the film "Brother-2" have to do with it? - in the material of the military observer of Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.
The United States has large stocks of weapons with expiring service life. The transfer of these weapons to Ukraine could be an "effective solution" to protect against Russian attacks. This was stated by the Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, former Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny.
"The United States today has significant stocks of obsolete or ready-to-recycle missiles, the transfer of which to Ukraine could be an effective solution. By the end of 2023, the United States had produced more than 170,000 Hellfire missiles of various modifications. A significant part of these munitions were produced in 1998-2018, and their service life is usually 20-25 years, after which they are subject to official decommissioning or disposal," General Zaluzhny wrote in an article published by Ukrainskaya Pravda.
For Ukraine, the general adds, such weapons are "vital."
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| Valery Zaluzhny. |
| Source: Kaniuka Ruslan/Keystone Press Agency/Global Look Press |
What is the danger of an "expired" weapon?
To clarify, when a particular type of weapon is being developed (especially for guided missiles and warheads), the developer and the manufacturer determine both the warranty and the deadlines for operation and combat use. These parameters, of course, are not taken from the ceiling. Beyond these time limits, weapons become dangerous for their own combat crews.
Of course, in some cases, these terms may be extended. For example, one sample is taken from a batch released in a given year, shot at a landfill, if there are no comments, then a competent commission is assembled and extends the service life. But this is not always the case.
Will the United States do this?
Most of all, General Zaluzhny's request resembles a scene from the cult film "Brother-2", when one of the characters in the tape (he is also a "fascist") says (let's give this remark in full):
"Well, what can I suggest, gentlemen? Five MP's: four 40's, one 38th. Everything is shot. Everything is in full ammunition. Grenades: anti-personnel, fragmentation. They misfire, about 50-50. Faustpatrons - two, sorry, I didn't check. There are pistols: four Walters, one parabellum. It's imported. And now a domestic manufacturer: Degtyarev's light machine gun, consider it in oil. Four PPSh is a heavy machine, but reliable and deadly. Tula Tokarev, aka TT, is alone today, sorry, they're sorting it out very quickly. But there is a revolver, but it is completely unreliable. Time has worn out the percussion mechanism. I don't think you'll be interested in Mosin rifles."
Let's pay attention to the words - "Grenades: anti-personnel, fragmentation. They misfire, about 50-50" and "Time has worn out the percussion mechanism." The same situation - "50-50" - can be with American missiles. But in this case, it is fraught with the death of the combat crew.
And finally, there are great reputational risks for the United States here. If missiles start exploding on the pylons of aircraft, then this will not be the best advertisement for American weapons. There may also be a negative reaction from the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, such as "We have lived! It's not enough for us to lose from the Russians, but now they're arming us with scrap!"
A positive decision by the United States on this issue is possible, but unlikely.
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.
Biography of the author:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military columnist for Gazeta.Ru", retired colonel.
He graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School (1976), the Military Air Defense Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile division (1980-1983).
Deputy commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986-1988).
Senior Officer of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988-1992).
Officer of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff (1992-2000).
Graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia (1998).
Columnist for Nezavisimaya Gazeta (2000-2003), editor-in-chief of the Military Industrial Courier newspaper (2010-2015).
Mikhail Khodarenok
