Ukraine crisis
Why the talk of “defensive weapons” is just nonsense
Egyptian Commandos Hour: This Israeli M60 was hit by a 9K11 Malyutka.
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The word defensive weapons suggests that there are weapons that only the innocent defender can use. Like the anti-tank missiles for Kiev. That’s not true – defense systems are also used offensively.
What became the symbol of the Wehrmacht when the Germans invaded the world? The characteristic steel helmet of the M35 type and its successors – easily recognizable by the brim over the eyes, the neck protection and its shape covering the ears. A PROTECTION helmet. And what was the most feared cannon of the Germans? The eight-eight in its different variants. An anti-aircraft cannon.
No aggressor without defensive weapons
Many states are supplying anti-tank missiles to Kiev – on the grounds that these defensive weapons are only for defense. The two examples from the Second World War make it clear that talk of defensive or defensive weapons makes little sense. And this classification has absolutely nothing to do with who is the attacker or defender in a conflict. The classic classification is a bit different anyway. A distinction is made between protective and defensive weapons. Weapons of protection used to be armor, helmets and shields. Today you could translate that into protective vests, trenches and bunkers and the like. The term Defensive Weapons is outdated, today we simply speak of weapons. They are not intended for protection like armor, but to inflict damage on the opponent.
It is obvious that the attacker also equips his troops with protective vests, helmets and the like. It is therefore pointless to translate protective or defensive systems with peaceful intentions. Conversely, a defense that only protects its own people and does not have any weapons that fight the enemy cannot be successful. In use, protection and defense systems are always combined. The tank carries a cannon, which it in turn protects with its armor. The infantryman fights the opponent with an assault rifle, grenades, etc. and takes his protective helmet and vest into action.
Yom Kippur War
In addition, the much-discussed anti-tank missiles are not protection systems. They’re just guns. They are used by the infantry of both the attacking and the aggressive state to combat armored vehicles at long distances. They can be used to defend against an attack or to perform an attack operation. The modern anti-tank missiles (ATGM Anti Tank Guides Missiles) entered the world stage in 1973 – in the Yom Kippur War. But they were not used by the Israeli defenders. Egyptian infantrymen shot down Israeli tanks in Sinai with Soviet-made anti-tank missiles. The Israeli tankers were simply unprepared for the small 9K11 Malyutka (“tiny”) missiles, which could penetrate armor at a range of 3,000 meters. General Albert Mandler’s reinforced armored division lost 200 tanks in a short period of time.
Air defense could cut off Kiev
Today, Putin has deployed air defense systems of various ranges around Ukraine. But their potential does not have to be defense in the popular sense. In the event of an invasion, it would not primarily protect Mother Russia, but would open a protective shield over the attacking ground troops. The S-400 “anti-missiles” also have a long range. Based in Belarus, they could close airspace over western Ukraine, cutting off Kiev’s supplies and making it impossible for Kiev’s outdated air force to deploy. A truly offensive task of a defense system. Even “mines” can be used offensively when deployed by launchers. Then they hinder the opponent’s movements or turn his position into a death trap.
Political Categories
The terms attacker and defender result from a political or strategic classification, they do not reflect the reality on the battlefield. Even the side that is generally retreating and being put on the defensive can selectively go on the offensive. In this operation, the “attackers” then become defenders. To return to World War II, Germany was the attacking state, but from 1943 it was pushed into defense on all fronts.