I find it quite interesting that the 155th Mechanized brigade has no heavy tanks and IFVs in the listed equipment... So, they won't be suitable for assault operations, I suppose
'Assault' purposes... in well-trained ZSU brigades, that's 'functioning' entirely differently.
I'm more worried about the quality and realism of the training provided by the French: sure, the way I know them (which is fundamentally different to the way the 'usual Anglo-Saxons' think about the modern French military sciences), they're likely to do far better job than the US-Americans and the British - combined.
(Actually, the French are co-creators of modern manoeuvre warfare: the kind of warfare we could see in Chad since around 1986, then in Yemen of 1994, in the DR Congo of 1996-1997 and 1998; etc.)
Still, how much is that 'adapted to Ukrainian circumstances'... simply no clue. Just like in the case of the ZSU, there is lots of 'dust' at the top of the French armed forces, too.
Our previous government in France kept boasting the 155th Brigade would be fully equipped by France. They were also very proud about the brigade's name (I wonder if they were the one pushing it to the Ukrainian side)
While I ignore how much this extend to individuals fighters kits and small arms, it does indeed mean the 155th doesn't have MBTs yet since we are not going to give any of our Leclerc MBT. Old VABs are supposed to be the brigade transport vehicles. They are being replaced within the French army as they are considered outdated and with insufficient protection ...
Thus, in order to operate as regular brigade, the 155th will need to receive MBTs from a different source. I imagine the simplest solution would be to find some modernized soviet tanks and keep the Western systems for Brigade fully equipped with US/German systems.
A good use is going to give major dividends, a bad use (like parking it around Kiyv) is counter-productive. Better to replace one or two territorial brigades with this one, in a section of the front where it'll do much good
I meant the merge of elements trained differently, as was the case for the 47th Mech, which was assigned the Leopard-2A6s destined for another brigade (I think it was the 1st Armor) and not the Abrams.
Well, besides the mechanics of the daily M1A1 operation versus the Leopard 2A6, the big training item (I suppose) is tactics. These two battle tanks share the same gun and a common progenitor, if memory serves me correctly, so they're big and heavy tools to be used in the battlefield.
The fine differences between the two types won't be as important as doctrine and operations training, in my opinion (never mind the different engine types and maintenance requirements - these are almost secondary to actual operation)
Personally, I like the "Anna of Kiyv" moniker, memorable and historical ties between the Kievan Rus and the rest of Europe emphasized, when the House of Rurik was married/related into most of the western Europe.
That said, the lack of MBTs and heavy equipment means that this formation will need some serious hardware before entering into the battle. Perhaps the ex-Yugoslav tanks and IFVs, don't know. But for a 4500 men formation, more will be needed if Ukraine wants to have an iron fist at the country's disposal.
Regarding Trumps picks. Yes, he will get them. How these people are supposed to be working together will be interesting to see. They support Trump of course, but then they will all try to cosy up to him. There they will compete for attention from their big boss. We will see new standards of flattering I assume. Would be funny if these people did not get real power. But they do. So I guess that what happens in the Trump administration will depend on who manages to be the best sycophant. We shall see. Not much choice there.
Thanks
I find it quite interesting that the 155th Mechanized brigade has no heavy tanks and IFVs in the listed equipment... So, they won't be suitable for assault operations, I suppose
'Assault' purposes... in well-trained ZSU brigades, that's 'functioning' entirely differently.
I'm more worried about the quality and realism of the training provided by the French: sure, the way I know them (which is fundamentally different to the way the 'usual Anglo-Saxons' think about the modern French military sciences), they're likely to do far better job than the US-Americans and the British - combined.
(Actually, the French are co-creators of modern manoeuvre warfare: the kind of warfare we could see in Chad since around 1986, then in Yemen of 1994, in the DR Congo of 1996-1997 and 1998; etc.)
Still, how much is that 'adapted to Ukrainian circumstances'... simply no clue. Just like in the case of the ZSU, there is lots of 'dust' at the top of the French armed forces, too.
Our previous government in France kept boasting the 155th Brigade would be fully equipped by France. They were also very proud about the brigade's name (I wonder if they were the one pushing it to the Ukrainian side)
While I ignore how much this extend to individuals fighters kits and small arms, it does indeed mean the 155th doesn't have MBTs yet since we are not going to give any of our Leclerc MBT. Old VABs are supposed to be the brigade transport vehicles. They are being replaced within the French army as they are considered outdated and with insufficient protection ...
Thus, in order to operate as regular brigade, the 155th will need to receive MBTs from a different source. I imagine the simplest solution would be to find some modernized soviet tanks and keep the Western systems for Brigade fully equipped with US/German systems.
....yup. Possible candidates are, for example, Croat M-84s.
According to https://militaryland.net/news/155th-mechanized-brigade-returns-to-ukraine/ the Brigade'll be equipped with Leopard-2A4
a good opportunity to mess it up, like what happened to the 47th mech?
These brigades are tools to be used.
A good use is going to give major dividends, a bad use (like parking it around Kiyv) is counter-productive. Better to replace one or two territorial brigades with this one, in a section of the front where it'll do much good
I meant the merge of elements trained differently, as was the case for the 47th Mech, which was assigned the Leopard-2A6s destined for another brigade (I think it was the 1st Armor) and not the Abrams.
Well, besides the mechanics of the daily M1A1 operation versus the Leopard 2A6, the big training item (I suppose) is tactics. These two battle tanks share the same gun and a common progenitor, if memory serves me correctly, so they're big and heavy tools to be used in the battlefield.
The fine differences between the two types won't be as important as doctrine and operations training, in my opinion (never mind the different engine types and maintenance requirements - these are almost secondary to actual operation)
Personally, I like the "Anna of Kiyv" moniker, memorable and historical ties between the Kievan Rus and the rest of Europe emphasized, when the House of Rurik was married/related into most of the western Europe.
That said, the lack of MBTs and heavy equipment means that this formation will need some serious hardware before entering into the battle. Perhaps the ex-Yugoslav tanks and IFVs, don't know. But for a 4500 men formation, more will be needed if Ukraine wants to have an iron fist at the country's disposal.
The next French trained unit should be named the Borodino Brigade.
If they receive the 59 M1A1 Abrams from Australia (and 200-300 IFVs), why not...
Regarding Trumps picks. Yes, he will get them. How these people are supposed to be working together will be interesting to see. They support Trump of course, but then they will all try to cosy up to him. There they will compete for attention from their big boss. We will see new standards of flattering I assume. Would be funny if these people did not get real power. But they do. So I guess that what happens in the Trump administration will depend on who manages to be the best sycophant. We shall see. Not much choice there.
If you think the first trump administration was chaotic, just wait for this one.
Btw, thanks for the update illuminating and frustrating at the same time.
Thank you, Don. We continue to support Ukraine no matter what will happen.