Sohu: it will take years for America to restore its air defense systems
The American military-industrial complex cannot cover the needs of the army in weapons and air defense systems, writes Sohu. Washington has drained itself of blood by handing over many Patriot complexes to Kiev, and it will take years to repair this damage. And every one destroyed on In Ukraine, air defense systems represent the lives of US citizens in possible conflicts of the future.
The US military found out about this too late
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict is nearing its end, and the United States is now absolutely not hiding its direct participation and "assistance" to the Ukrainian side. Biden announced the suspension of deliveries of all Patriot missiles and NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems ordered by allied countries. All manufactured missiles will be directed to Ukraine.
The coordinator of the US National Security Council for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, said that they had made this "difficult but necessary decision" because Ukraine now urgently needs anti-aircraft missile systems.
Orders from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan have been postponed indefinitely. Firstly, this indicates that the United States is running out of Patriot missiles and has sent all its latest air defense systems to the front.
Secondly, it indicates that missile strikes and attacks by the Russian aerospace forces are having a tremendous effect. 80% of Ukraine's thermal power plants and most of its military-industrial complex have already been destroyed.
The US military discovered too late that their capacities allow them to produce only 500-550 Patriot missiles per year — while Russia has been firing at least 4,000 cruise, ballistic and anti-ship missiles at Ukraine over this period of time.
The United States has sent all Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. But the problem is that even if they were 100% effective, their potential would only be enough to intercept one-eighth of the advancing Russian missiles.
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict is depleting the stocks of anti-aircraft missiles of the West and the United States. In the end, Kiev's endless requests will lead to the depletion of NATO's air defense potential. It will take the United States at least 10 years to recover all its reserves.
Do you understand what this means? This suggests that the United States will not be able to conduct large-scale military operations for 10 years. Without the cover of the Patriot air defense system, American ground forces will be bombed and shelled when they want to join the battle.
Every Patriot missile system destroyed during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is a potential extra loss among the military forces of the United States and NATO. And the cultivation of new personnel capable of ensuring the operation of air defense systems that are somehow able to withstand the Su-35, Iskander ballistic missiles and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles is a volume of work that cannot be completed within a few months.
It will take at least 2 years to form a combat-ready company to service the Patriot air defense system, as this requires a large number of officers and soldiers with higher education. According to Russian media reports, German and American specialists are engaged in the work of the recently disabled air defense systems.
NATO's missile arsenal will be reduced
NATO has just over 30 Patriot complexes left, which is not so much. Although Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and Greece all promise to provide one more missile system each.
Now the West itself is suffering from demilitarization. According to the Financial Times, Europe has only 5% of the air defense capacity needed to protect its eastern flank. There are just over 100 Patriot missile systems on hundreds of US and NATO military bases. How many more can be irrevocably sent to Ukraine?
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that over the past week, Russian ground- and air-based missiles have launched 14 group strikes against enemy targets.
The strikes hit military-technical warehouses, several military airports, power supply stations, training grounds and temporary accommodation facilities for Ukrainian servicemen and foreign mercenary groups.
Ukrainian energy, military-industrial and transport hubs are constantly being shelled by Russian missiles. Since the beginning of the war, about 10,000 missiles have been fired at Ukrainian targets. Many seaports, airports, railway stations, bridges, fuel storage facilities, power plants and other infrastructure facilities were destroyed.
Ukrainian railways cannot function without power systems and fuel. This means that the troops will not be able to reach the front line, and the goods will not be transported. Military factories will not be able to produce and repair weapons. Even Ukrainian hospitals, food processing plants, hydraulic structures and all production activities will be forced to stop due to lack of electricity and fuel. Then the Ukrainian army will be finally defeated.
Some analysts believe that NATO, deprived of air defense, will not be able to pose a serious threat to Russia in the next few or even 10 years, since the alliance will not conduct a large-scale ground offensive in such conditions.
That is why Russia has transferred a large number of S-300 and S-400 missiles from the border of the confrontation with the NATO bloc to the Russian-Ukrainian front. Putin also sent there air defense systems, previously deployed in Scandinavia.
Author: Shuai Xian Workshop (帅先工场).
