Espreso. Global

Ukraine will gain time, while West will upgrade defense industry: why Western countries should give up their stockpiles to Ukraine

12 January, 2024 Friday
17:27

US, UK, and other NATO and EU armies have a huge amount of weapons and ammunition in their arsenals and warehouses. However, soon this weapon may become obsolete

client/title.list_title

Oleksiy Kopytko, a military and political analyst, writes that when statements say that "resources have been depleted," they are talking about weapons that countries can share without compromising their own defense capabilities.

However, as warfare practices are changing rapidly and new armaments are being introduced, Western stockpiles may appear outdated.

"What has been accumulated in arsenals and warehouses is rapidly becoming obsolete. In fact, for a significant share of existing weapons and equipment, our war is the last chance to perform decently.

Currently, these weapons are stored for "just in case something happens" reasons. The trouble is that if something happens, it will be too late: the enemy will have knowledge that will radically reduce the effectiveness of what is being saved for a rainy day," Kopytko writes.

Both the Ukrainian and the Russian armies have accumulated experience that no one else has. And the Russians are already sharing knowledge with “their accomplices in the axis of evil.” 

“Hamas is already using drones in ways that it could only learn from the Russians. Iran has already modernized drones in such a way that its new experience will be in great demand for distances of about 1000 km (less than 200 km to Taiwan and just about 1000 km to Tokyo from North Korea). It is a matter of time before conditional "Nigerian-Yemeni-Philippine" pirates use a maritime drone to strike a merchant ship,” the analyst emphasizes.

Therefore, in his opinion, it is necessary to deploy the military-industrial complex to meet new threats: either to invest in modernization or to produce new equipment. The latter option, although long-term and more expensive, is more promising. 

Even if the frontline in Ukraine calms down, it won't solve the problem, because the equipment is already obsolete.

In addition, Russia, with its knowledge and army skilled in the new conditions, will take advantage of the pause as effectively as possible. Therefore, the best option now is to give the accumulated weapons to Ukraine.

"We (Ukraine - ed.) will get a chance to defend ourselves, gain time and prevent Russia and its allies from accumulating resources for an attack. During this time, our partners will be able to restore defense production. In fact, Germany is already quietly doing so. The first to boost its military-industrial complex will skim the cream," Kopytko concludes.


 
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
13 February
15:16
Russia denies talks of recognizing Crimea, occupied territories as Russian in Trump-Putin call
14:53
Secret Gravehawk air defense system for Ukraine unveiled – and it's not what you'd expect
14:40
Ukraine’s parliament work blocked by MPs protesting political repression
14:21
Ukraine's role crucial in peace talks after Trump-Putin call, NATO chief says
13:56
Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against Ukraine’s former President Poroshenko
13:38
Exclusive
"Unprecedented case in nuclear energy history": Expert on Ukraine buying reactors from Bulgaria
13:15
Poland warns Ukraine not to expect NATO invitation to “fall from the sky”
12:54
Trump's ex-advisor: Kremlin drinks vodka straight from bottle after Trump-Putin talk
12:35
Around 7,000 civilians remain in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as evacuation continues
12:15
Review
Return to pre-war borders is unrealistic: New Pentagon chief's statements at Ramstein and Ukraine's stance. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:52
Russian forces block water and humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in frontline areas
11:35
"Putin would say he won": Trump says he'll keep supporting Ukraine
11:16
Russian civilians evacuated to Ukraine after Russia’s deadly strike on shelter
10:54
116 clashes occur at front on Feb. 12: Russia launches over 5,000 strikes on Ukraine
10:33
European countries and Ukraine demand a say in any peace talks
10:15
Exclusive
Russian troops attempt to fully sever Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway
09:56
U.S. envoy Kellogg to visit Ukraine for “tough diplomacy” — U.S. State Department
09:36
Russia loses 1,250 soldiers, 17 tanks, 58 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Wednesday
12 February
22:00
Russia launches record number of strikes on Donetsk region since war started
21:45
Exclusive
Russian army does not hesitate to drop bombs on its citizens: Ukrainian military on Kursk sector
21:33
Exclusive
How Ukraine shoots down ballistic missiles may remain classified
21:21
F-16 with JASSM-ER, illustrative photo
First F-16 photo during combat mission in Ukraine emerges online — what does it reveal?
21:10
Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania: Trump himself will decide to stand by Ukraine
21:00
Zelenskyy and Trump hold talks
20:50
Russia blocks IAEA experts' rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Ukraine's MFA
20:40
Zelenskyy: Work on Trump’s plan to end Ukraine war likely to start in February
20:26
Ukraine wins 16 medals at 2025 Invictus Games
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia is forced to retreat in some areas of Pokrovsk sector
19:51
UK pledges £150 million in military aid to Ukraine
19:36
“I prayed for Trump's protection at rally before assassination attempt” — Jason Sharron, Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania
19:25
NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic, says U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth
19:10
Exclusive
Russia training surviving North Korean soldiers to reinforce troops in Kursk region
18:49
NATO must ensure negotiation results that Putin can’t overturn in six months or year – Rutte
18:11
600,000 Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories: over 40,000 still enrolled in Ukrainian schools
18:00
Interview
Ukrainian Catholic Church priest in Pennsylvania on beauty of Ukrainian traditions and why Trump can be helpful for Ukraine
17:50
Supporting Ukraine is top foreign policy priority — Sweden’s top diplomat
17:32
'Putin will lose if he attacks NATO': Rutte on Russian threat in Europe
17:15
Exclusive
"Much hinges on Kellogg's meeting with Zelenskyy's team" regarding Trump's peace plan — Ukrainian MP
16:51
NATO Secretary General Rutte announces new military aid for Ukraine
16:37
White House power struggle: Trump ally Witkoff’s Moscow move sparks clash over Ukraine policy
More news