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Why drones cannot replace artillery on the battlefield: military analyst Yevhen Dykyi gives an explanation

Author
Artur Gmyria

Even a million drones promised by the president cannot replace artillery on the battlefield, military analyst and veteran Yevhen Dykyi argues.

The problem is that artillery and drones normally have quite different functions, although they perfectly work in synergy, and drones can indeed partially replace artillery at short distances. However, this is due to the shortage of ammunition currently experienced by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Why drones cannot fully replace artillery

Quote"Drones can in no way replace artillery, just as the Kalashnikov rifle is no alternative to artillery. Each type of weapon occupies a certain specific niche," says the 2014 Russian invasion in Eastern Ukraine.

FPV drones are most often said to be an alternative to artillery. But they aren’t, not in the least. To start with, their typical ranges are:

  • 7 to 8 km for FPV drones;
  • 40 km for gun artillery;
  • 70 km for multiple rocket launchers.

An FPV drone carries a grenade-sized charge, which is not comparable with artillery munitions, Dykyi added. An artillery shell is equivalent to a simultaneous hit by a dozen drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles have only replaced RPG-7 and AGS grenade launchers and small-caliber mortars.

QuoteEven given the ammunition shortage and the extremely successful work of our drone operators, artillery accounts for more than 80% of casualties during this war. Meanwhile, more than half of the lost equipment was destroyed by drones.

The full interview with Yevhen Dykyi


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War in Ukraine counteroffensive weapon Ukraine's counteroffensive