Image source: topwar.ru
The former head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (2004-2008), Army General Yuri Baluyevsky believes that the war of the future will be a "high-precision hail of ammunition." As a result of the rearmament of the world's armies with multiple launch rocket systems, similar to the recently famous American MLRS HIMARS, the forms of warfare will radically change. As a result, according to Baluyevsky, such re-equipment can "lead to the complete death of armored vehicles and artillery in their traditional appearance."
— Baluyevsky expressed his opinion on the future of military strategy and tactics on the radio station "Mayak".
The military expert noted that according to the latest data, the Polish army intends to purchase 500 HIMARS MLRS installations, which should replace traditional artillery. Baluyevsky believes that the presence of such a large number of high-precision and long-range installations, among other things, can significantly reduce the role of strike aviation of the Polish Armed Forces.
The American HIMARS multiple launch rocket system is considered one of the most long-range and powerful systems in the world. The use of a certain type of missiles with cluster warheads allows it to hit targets at a distance of up to 300 km and, according to some reports, even further. In addition, it is able to work as an anti-aircraft installation.
The Tornado-S is considered the most powerful and long-range MLRS in service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This system is designed to launch missiles with a caliber of 300 mm, in a lightweight version of 120 mm, at a distance of 200 km. Recently, the media reported that Russia may receive from China MLRS PCL191, capable of striking at a distance of up to 500 km.
In the author's preface to the recently published book by TSAST, "Foreign Wars – a New Paradigm," Baluyevsky also writes that "simple commercial Chinese-made quadrocopters have made a real revolution in the use of traditional barrel and rocket artillery." According to the author, the use of reconnaissance UAVs makes it possible to multiply the effectiveness and accuracy of strikes, which makes traditional artillery comparable in these indicators with high-precision weapons.
— the military expert believes.
Also, the nature of warfare is already changing, taking into account the availability of high-precision long-range weapons in service with combat aircraft, Baluyevsky believes. The introduction of artificial intelligence elements, autonomous missile guidance methods allows aviation, according to the general, to strike up to thousands of kilometers, while remaining out of the enemy's air defense systems.
