This could roughly translate into ~11-12 mechanized/tank brigades + a # of independent artillery/rocket artillery brigades.
๐บ๐ฆ had a total of 13 active mech./tank brigades pre-February 24.
In other words, ๐บ๐ฆ asks for help to regenerate almost its entire ground maneuver force.
๐บ๐ฆ had a total of 13 active mech./tank brigades pre-February 24.
In other words, ๐บ๐ฆ asks for help to regenerate almost its entire ground maneuver force.
54 battalions in total including ~10 +/- tank & ~44 +/- mechanized infantry battalions. All rough calculations and all depends on exact force structure of course. Note: the request does not include short/medium range air defense systems which are also sorely needed.
FYI:
Ukraine had 858 main battle tanks (MBTs) pre-February 24 (per @IISS_org MilBal+ database).
Ukraine lost 194 MBTs to date (per @oryxspioenkop database)
Poland & Czech Republic sent ~270 MBTs enough to generate 2 strengthened tank brigades.
Ukraine had 858 main battle tanks (MBTs) pre-February 24 (per @IISS_org MilBal+ database).
Ukraine lost 194 MBTs to date (per @oryxspioenkop database)
Poland & Czech Republic sent ~270 MBTs enough to generate 2 strengthened tank brigades.
Just to clarify I was primarily talking about heavier maneuver forces above (could arguably have included air assault brigades).
Total ๐บ๐ฆmaneuver force pre-February 24 included:
5 recce. battalions
4 tank brigades
9 mech bde
2 mtn bde
4 mot. inf. bde
1 light inf. bde
Total ๐บ๐ฆmaneuver force pre-February 24 included:
5 recce. battalions
4 tank brigades
9 mech bde
2 mtn bde
4 mot. inf. bde
1 light inf. bde
The major point I have been trying to make is that European policy makers have had a hard time grasping the high attrition levels/equipment loss rates in such a high-intensity fight. The fight in the Donbas is about territory but it also about attriting Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine will need to stand up at least half a dozen new mech/tank brigades to recover some of the territory lost after Feb. 24. This will require hundreds of main battle tanks & armored fighting vehicles, plus mobile short-medium range air defense systems & other combat support.
Perhaps I am reading too much into this here, but the fact that mobile short-range/medium-range air defense systems are not on this list suggests that the Ukrainian general staff is not planning to conduct strategic ground offensives in the near term.
Not that it would be realistic in the short-term in any case. I also can't recall when in the middle of a war a modern military had to switch munition standards & major defense equipment. This is a most difficult undertaking, especially while trying to hold multiple frontlines.
Current Western weapons deliveries cover only 10-15% of Ukraineโs needs, according to Ukraineโs deputy minister of defense in charge of procurement, support for weapons & equipment.
nationaldefensemagazine.org h/t @Phil_Eder
nationaldefensemagazine.org h/t @Phil_Eder
Ukraine's land forces command logistics commander says that ๐บ๐ฆarmed forces have lost ~1,300 infantry fighting vehicles, 400 tanks, 700 artillery systems: โAs of today, we have approximately 30 to 40, sometimes up to 50 percent of losses of equipment as a result of active combat.โ
More info on average motorized/mech. brigade structure: โTo cover the active combat conflict we need 40 brigades. Every brigade is 100 infantry fighting vehicles, 30 tanks, 54 artillery systems โ just for one brigade, and we have 40 of them.โ
Russian counter-battery fires against towed M777 howitzers appear to be effective.
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