General Vladimirov explained why the APU was disappointed in howitzers from Germany and the USA
European and American media note that the Ukrainian military began to critically evaluate the artillery systems that the United States and Germany supplied to Kiev. What prevents the APU from effectively using NATO howitzers - in the material of "Gazeta.Ru».
According to the German newspaper Bild, the Russian military took possession of one of the German self-propelled howitzers delivered to Ukraine PzH 2000. The publication notes that the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation allegedly knocked out a howitzer from a German grenade launcher, which was also previously supplied by the APU. Now specialists of the Russian Ministry of Defense are studying a self-propelled artillery installation. At the same time, the newspaper emphasizes that the PzH 2000 is one of the most "technologically advanced and expensive artillery installations in the world."
In turn, the German TV channel ZDF released a report claiming that the Ukrainian military had difficulties with the operation of the PzH 2000.
"The AFU servicemen complain that they cannot use the equipment at 100% of its potential due to the complexity of the equipment, including the navigation and mini-radar MVRS-700SC," the ZDF story says.
Earlier, Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vladimir Karpenko, in an interview with the American edition of National Defense, criticized the American 155-mm howitzer M777, which the United States delivered to Ukraine as part of military assistance. According to Karpenko, after each "artillery contact", a third of howitzers fails due to damage by shrapnel and needs repair.
- Karpenko claimed.
The damaged equipment is serviced by Ukrainian specialists who have received special training, but they do not always manage to restore the full functionality of artillery systems, he added.
"Ukraine has received very good weapons, but not all of them are capable of shooting in the hands of the Ukrainian military. Howitzers were brought in, which no one can really understand, the instructions are either in English or in German. Something was taught to the commanders, individual military, and for the rest it's just a "dark forest". Therefore, these howitzers easily detect their positions, which are immediately covered by Russian artillery. There is also such an important nuance as the difference in the caliber of guns. The NATO standard is 155 mm, unlike the main ammunition of the Ukrainian army in 152 mm, which can not be inserted into either a German or an American howitzer," he told the newspaper.En" military expert, reserve Colonel Gennady Alekhine.
He noted that the necessary ammunition is also supplied by NATO countries to Ukraine, but logistically it is difficult to feed the active army without interruption. "Soviet shells are within walking distance, in warehouses, and Western ones are delayed. Such delays have critical consequences," Alyokhin is sure.
The expert added that since 1991, Ukraine has consistently reduced artillery. In 1991-1993 alone, 9 artillery and missile brigades and one corps were disbanded. In subsequent years, 17 more artillery brigades and regiments were reduced. Thus, at the time of the beginning of the special military operation in the land forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to open sources, there were 7 artillery brigades, 2 rocket artillery brigades, 1 rocket artillery regiment and 1 rocket brigade.
"The Ukrainian army will not be able to hold out solely on the supply of Western weapons. To conduct military operations, one needs its own developed defense industry, and Kiev simply does not have it. What did the Americans bet? Six artillery batteries are a joke to the chickens. The Germans sent us two batteries - this is also a conversation about nothing yet. It is not surprising that they are easily detected and destroyed. They are suppressed simply by quantity," explained the newspaper.En" President of the College of Military Experts, Reserve Major General Alexander Vladimirov.
General Vladimirov stressed that the supply of weapons from the West is beneficial to Russia.
- the general summed up.
Victor Sokirko
