The threat from drones in Ukraine made the British military realize they must increase training in trench warfare.
The conflict in Ukraine witnessed the reappearance of trenches, which was a popular form of combat during World War I. Both sides dug large systems of fortifications and trenches to defend against enemy attacks and achieve effectiveness.
This reality has caused the British army, which is training some Ukrainian soldiers, to change its view on the role of trench warfare in modern warfare.
“You are investing in research on approaches to trench warfare. Digging fortifications has always been a part of our training program, but now the UK will begin to focus more on the development of this type of combat," said Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, a British officer participating in the training activities. Ukrainian soldier, said.
As one of the countries participating in World War I, Britain had a lot of experience with trench warfare methods. However, like many other countries, London has no longer focused on this type of warfare for many years, in the context of its importance declining with the development of armored vehicles and other forms of cooperative warfare. fellow soldiers.
The 24th Ukrainian Brigade covers trenches with protective nets in Donetsk in a photo posted in November 11. Photo: X/Robert Lee
According to Wilson, British soldiers over the past decade have mainly been trained in anti-terrorism methods to adapt to the actual situation in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Trench warfare has been around for more than a century,” Wilson said. "Some people once thought that it was now just a part of history, but this form of combat is receiving strong attention again due to the threat of unmanned devices (drones)."
Drones, especially first-person view (FPV) drones carrying explosives, are popular weapons today in the Ukrainian battlefield. They are used by both sides with high frequency on the front line thanks to the advantages of being cheap and easy to produce, but can effectively attack many targets, from infantry to tanks and heavy armor if they hit them. dangerous locations on the vehicle.
This threat is one of the reasons why trenches have reappeared so densely in the Ukraine conflict, because this is a rare place where soldiers can hide from attacks using suicide FPV drones. .
“Ukraine has made trench warfare important again,” Wilson said, adding that British army training officers are studying how to counter this form of warfare, as well as methods to use it. use it effectively.
Trench warfare is also a focus of British officers' training for Ukrainian forces. An estimated 30.000 soldiers in this country have participated in a training program led by London called "Operation Interflex" in southern England.
Ukrainian soldiers in trenches near Bakhmut in April 4. Image: AFP
Wilson and British officers in the program said this was a beneficial activity for both sides. Ukrainian forces will be guided to improve and enhance the necessary skills, in return they will provide British officials with useful advice drawn from real-life experience in the conflict.
According to Davidson, deputy commander of “Operation Interflex,” the training process helped Britain and partner countries quickly realize that their doctrine of trench warfare was outdated. This is also what Ukrainian soldiers participating in the training course reflected back to them. Since then, officers have continuously introduced changes so that the training program can be more closely aligned with reality.
“Based on what was happening on the battlefield, we quickly made many changes,” Davidson said. “We learned as much from the Ukrainian soldiers as they learned from us.”
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