Ukraine tells counteroffensive critics to 'shut up' & analysing the drone war against Russia
Aug 31, 2023
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The new British Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, discusses the latest news from the frontlines and the appointment of a new defence secretary. The podcast analyzes Ukrainian drone warfare and the effectiveness of Ukraine's drone campaign compared to Russia's. They also discuss the use of drones and air defense systems in the conflict and potential future implications. The podcast provides a diplomatic update on Russia's increased cooperation with North Korea and discusses the recent change in a major office of state in the UK. Overall, the podcast covers a range of interesting topics related to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The use of drones in Ukraine's conflict with Russia has proven to be a cost-effective precision capability, putting pressure on Russia's war effort.
The availability of low-cost drones has significant implications for military procurement, providing an economical alternative for conventional deterrence and defense against evolving threats.
Deep dives
Ukraine's Use of Drones in the War
Ukraine has been utilizing drones in their conflict against Russia with great success. The drones, ranging from commercial purchases to domestically made models, have allowed Ukraine to target key military sites and infrastructure in occupied Crimea. These attacks have put pressure on Russia's ability to sustain the war effort and have proven to be a cost-effective precision capability for Ukraine. The scale and intensity of these drone attacks are expected to increase, forcing Russia to divert more air defense resources away from the frontlines. This use of drones in warfare highlights the need for both offensive and defensive capabilities against this evolving threat.
The Impact of Cheap Drones in Military Procurement
The use of inexpensive drones, such as those employed by Ukraine, has significant implications for military procurement. These low-cost precision weapons offer a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive conventional systems. Smaller NATO countries and other nations lacking large defense budgets may find drones a desirable option for conventional deterrence or annoyance capabilities. While traditional missile and directed energy weapon systems remain vital for sophisticated militaries, there is likely to be increased demand for economical counter-drone solutions to defend against this evolving threat.
Russia's Attempted Weapon Procurement from North Korea
Amidst its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, Russia has sought military support from North Korea to replenish its weapon stocks. US intelligence indicates that high-level discussions have taken place between Putin and Kim Jong-un, with letters exchanged to increase cooperation. Russia's defense minister even visited North Korea to secure artillery ammunition, signaling their attempts to source weapons from unconventional suppliers. The US has urged North Korea to halt arms negotiations with Russia and abide by its commitments not to sell or provide arms to Russia. This highlights Russia's widening search for military support as it continues its aggression in Ukraine.
UK's Transition in Defense Leadership
Grant Shapps has taken over as the new UK Defense Secretary, replacing Ben Wallace. While the change in leadership may raise questions, Shapps has shown a commitment to Ukraine throughout his various roles and is expected to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The transition is unlikely to cause significant shifts in UK policy towards Ukraine as there is cross-party support for Ukraine and an ongoing commitment to providing assistance. While the UK has imposed sanctions on entities involved in arms deals between Russia and North Korea, it remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine's defense efforts.
Today, we bring you the latest news from the frontlines, discuss the appointment of Grant Shapps as the new British Defence Secretary & analyse Ukrainian drone warfare.
Contributors:
David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter.
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on Twitter.
Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on Twitter.
Genevieve Holl-Allen (Politics Reporter). @genevieve_holl on Twitter.
Marcel Plichta (Former analyst at the U.S. Department of Defence)@plichta_marcel on Twitter.