Ukrainian hopes now rest on these three weapons systems. Sexual violence against children in the war in Ukraine: new study alarms

The war in Ukraine has been raging for two years. After the attack, which violated international law, Russia briefly controlled more than 23 percent of Ukrainian territory. During the first year of the war, Ukraine managed to regain five percent. Since then there has been a stalemate and the number of victims has continued to rise steadily.

The current impasse has many causes. One of these concerns the supply of Western weapons. It appears that Ukraine is receiving enough war material to more or less maintain its positions. However, it is not enough for a successful counter-offensive.

The aggressors are taking advantage of the West’s hesitation. They recently captured the city of Avidiivka with heavy losses. It remains to be seen whether the pendulum of war will swing back to Russia’s favor. Well-known experts contacted by Watson declined to comment on this question. The situation is too confusing at the moment. A ray of hope for Ukraine could be the early deployment of new weapons systems.

F-16

It is certain that Ukraine will carry out missions with F-16 fighter jets. Several pilots have completed the training in the US, Great Britain, Romania and other countries. However, the question of when the first combat missions will take place remains open.

Who supplies the weapons?

The promised aircraft come from the stocks of the Netherlands (42) and Denmark (19). But Belgium and Norway have also promised small quantities. Spare parts will come from the USA.

What impact could the F-16 have?

The Ukrainian Air Force currently has about 80 old aircraft. These are used, among other things, to shoot down Western cruise missiles, especially the English Storm Shadows. A weapon of this type destroyed the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol in September, killing its commander, Admiral Sokolov, according to Ukrainian sources. Russia contradicts this representation. In combination with cruise missiles or in use against Russian attack helicopters, the F-16 offers Ukraine new opportunities. But these also have limits.

In an interview with ZDF, military expert and retired colonel (ret. stands for “out of service”) Wolfgang Richter explained that the F-16 will have an impact on the war – but not a decisive impact: “There is no silver bullet that will be a complete game changer. You always have to see it in the total system.” Richter believes that the delivered F-16s are mainly a replacement for the losses already suffered. To liberate the country, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valeriy Zalushnyi analyzed, Ukraine must have air sovereignty. And that is only possible with a functioning air force.

Taurus cruise missile

In addition to the aforementioned Storm Shadow from Great Britain, Ukraine also has a cruise missile, the Scalp-EG from France. The two systems are identical and differ only in the connection mechanism to the dropping aircraft. However, it is not known how many of the weapons systems, which cost more than 2 million francs, Ukraine possesses. However, their numbers are likely to be very limited. This is also why Ukraine is hoping for a Taurus delivery.

Who should deliver the Taurus?

The Taurus comes from Germany. Chancellor Scholz mainly wants to prevent delivery and thus lives up to his reputation for hesitation. Scholz fears that Ukraine could use German war materials to attack targets on Russian territory.

What impact could Taurus have?

Every cruise missile is of enormous value to Ukraine. This means that major targets such as command centers, ammunition depots and other interfaces of the Russian supply lines could be attacked far behind the front – which would ultimately impact the front. Objectives in occupied Crimea would therefore be achievable.

With the ability to penetrate concrete structures up to a meter thick, the Taurus would also be useful against heavily fortified positions. But that is exactly what Chancellor Scholz is afraid of. Because the Taurus has a range of 500 kilometers – much more than the Storm Shadow (250 kilometers), as the Guardian points out. They were dropped off at the Russian border in northern Ukraine and were also able to reach Moscow.

But that’s speculation. At the moment it does not look like Germany will supply Taurus. A corresponding Union proposal was rejected by 480 votes to 182. CDU leader Merz then accused Chancellor Scholz of saying that the “turning point” he had proclaimed was nothing more than an announcement.

GLSDBs

GLSDB stands for ‘Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb’. The explosives are a hybrid of GPS-guided air-to-surface glide bombs and the decommissioned M26 rocket engine. They have a range of 150 kilometers and are very accurate with a deviation of one meter.

Who should provide GLSDBs?

The US and Ukraine already own it. Russian military bloggers showed photos of remains indicating that Ukraine had fired GLSDBS at Kreminna nine days ago.

What impact can GLSDBs have?

The big advantage of GLSDBs is their price ($40,000 each) and that they are easy to produce. Saab and Boeing were commissioned to do this by the Biden administration a year ago. It is unknown how many pieces Ukraine now owns; there are probably hundreds, if not thousands.

As military ETH expert Dr. Marcus M. Keupp told ZDF that the GLSDBs can help Ukraine overcome the acute shortage of classic artillery ammunition. They can also be used against supply lines behind the front. Despite their size, they have enormous explosive power. They can also break through a meter of reinforced concrete.