The relatively fluid and fast-moving battlefield, particularly in north-west Europe after D-Day in June 1944, led to many accidental attacks on friendly forces. In the 19th century, armies wore brightly coloured uniforms in order to be seen through the smoke that was generated by the heavy musket and cannon fire that characterised warfare at this time.Įven with the improved radio communications of the second world war, there were often friendly fire incidents, particularly when ground attacks were conducted by aircraft. The problems of identification on the battlefield and resultant friendly fire incidents are nothing new on the battlefield. This adds to the problem of telling friend from foe in the heat of battle. Battlefields are fast-moving and confusing environments where decisions have to be made in split seconds – often with very little corroboratory information.Īn additional problem that may make the battlefield a more dangerous place is that communications between equipment from different suppliers is not always possible. While the ID card system will undoubtedly help Ukrainian forces from destroying new equipment sent by its allies, it will not prevent this entirely. These include, according to a report late last year from the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) Russia’s air defence systems engaging their own aircraft. Ukrainian sources, meanwhile, have reported several friendly fire incidents involving Russian units attacking each other. In December, Russian news agency Tass reported Ukrainian army units shelled each other’s positions in a battle at Kremennaya, in the east Ukrainian region of Luhansk. Major Andrew Harshbarger, of the US Army’s training and doctrine command said the idea was to enable soldiers to quickly “identify enemy equipment and distinguish the equipment from friendly forces”.īoth sides have been plagued by the problem of friendly fire. To try to overcome the challenge of identification, the US government has issued a deck of playing cards with pictures of various different pieces of hardware to help try to minimise “friendly fire” incidents.Īccording to a report in the New York Times, the deck has images of 52 different Nato-made tanks, armored personnel carriers, trucks, artillery pieces and other weapons systems. And troops fighting on the ground will need to learn how to tell them apart in a confusing and fast-paced environment. Ukrainian troops need to learn how to operate the new equipment and they will need supplies and replacement parts. These modern sophisticated weapons will be key to the success of Ukraine’s spring counter-offensive which is believed to be poised to begin.īut providing all this different equipment made in different countries brings its own challenges. Other nations have or are in the process of sending anti-tank and anti-air systems, artillery pieces, drones and tanks. Germany has dispatched 14 of its renowned Leopard 2 tanks. The UK recently pledged to send 14 Challenger 2 tanks, while the US has promised 31 Abrams tanks, and is sending older models to get them to the battlefield as soon as possible. Nato members and other western countries are stepping up their supply of weapons to Ukraine.
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