Russia’s military approach in Ukraine has been to throw huge numbers of soldiers and tanks into the fight, even as their losses mount. So far, Russia has lost over 4,000 tanks but keeps piling more people through.
This meatgrinder strategy contrasts with NATO’s method of combining different military elements:
- Tanks
- Artillery
- Infantry
- Airpower
When these components work seamlessly together, NATO’s forces can be very effective despite having fewer total soldiers than Russia. However, practicing this combined arms maneuver through major training exercises has been lacking.
Massive NATO Military Exercise Underway in Lithuania
To prepare for potential future conflicts with Russia, NATO countries are holding a large-scale military exercise in Lithuania. Key points:
- Baltic nations like Lithuania are very concerned about Russian aggression after the invasion of Ukraine
- The exercise aims to demonstrate NATO’s ability to mount a strong, coordinated defense
- It allows practice combining air, ground, and artillery forces from multiple NATO members
Having well-trained, integrated military forces helps deter Russian escalation by showing NATO’s capabilities. According to experts, this kind of preparation should have happened years ago, before Russia attacked Ukraine.
UK Military Considers Expanding to Boost Readiness
The British army currently has only around 72,000 active soldiers, among the lowest levels in many years. Military leaders worry this limited force would be quickly exhausted in a major conflict like the Ukraine war.
Some solutions being discussed include:
- Allowing Ukraine to use UK and allied weapons against Russian territory
- Expanding the military through ‘compulsory national service‘ or a ‘citizen army.’
- Increasing defense funding and manning levels
The upcoming UK election will likely feature more debate over military policy and spending. Being prepared could discourage further Russian aggression, which some see as a growing threat in Europe.
Will NATO’s Show of Force be Enough?
While Russia has suffered over 500,000 casualties so far in Ukraine, its strategy focuses on sending endless waves of personnel. NATO may have fewer troops, but it has better weapons and training to use them in combination.
By practicing their integrated tactics at this exercise, NATO aims to convince Russia that it is ready to mount a coordinated, formidable defense if attacked. The key question is whether this show of force will be enough to deter future aggression by Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin.
A former British military commander warns that authoritarian rulers like Putin only recognize strength. Demonstrating military weakness could actually invite further invasions beyond Ukraine. Maintaining a credible defense through practice and funding could discourage Putin from advancing westward.
Historians note how few imagined a major European war was imminent just months before World War II erupted in 1939. They caution against dismissing the potential for another wider conflict stemming from the current hostilities.
While domestic issues are understandably top priorities, voters would be wise also carefully to consider each party’s defense policies. Being unprepared could have disastrous consequences if Putin’s ambitions extend across the region. Are we heeding history’s warnings about the dangers of underestimating threats?
