The US Army has significant combat capabilities, but it may not meet all the challenges for the foreseeable future. Against the background of deteriorating relations with Russia and China, the American command is considering the possibility of modernizing the ground forces. Army Minister Mark Esper spoke about such plans last Tuesday. Such statements by a high-ranking official are of great interest and may also be cause for concern.
According to the minister
On April 16, the Minister of the Army M. Esper made a report on the development of the ground forces. He recalled that the army plans to abandon various programs and projects in favor of developing priority areas. So, according to the results of last year's audits, it was decided to reduce or close 200 programs. This will free up $ 25 billion to finance other projects.
In the recent past, the army was optimized for participation in local conflicts and in the fight against international terrorism, supplying it with the necessary material and changing its structure. It is now planned to tackle new upgrades that will allow the United States to be prepared for a high-intensity conflict with China or Russia. Among other things, this requires the abandonment of some samples in favor of others. This requires the development of some new products.
In the existing US National Security Strategy, the priority of local conflicts is reduced, and the main attention is paid to confrontation with other superpowers. In this regard, new plans for the development of the ground forces are being developed. The new doctrine for the army will appear in 12-18 months. Part of the views on this problem was revealed a week ago by the Minister of the Army.
To free up finance, the army will cut several ongoing programs. First of all, it is planned to reduce the cost of modernizing CH-47 Chinook helicopters. They will also reduce purchases of JLTV armored cars, and at the same time reduce the fleet of such equipment in the troops. The amount of technique after cuts has not yet been determined. It is curious that the plans for helicopters and armored cars are directly related. Thus, a modification of the CH-47 Block II helicopter with an increased carrying capacity was necessary to transport JLTV vehicles designed to operate in Iraq and Afghanistan. Reducing the presence of hot spots allows for fewer parks.
Instead of modernizing old CH-47 helicopters, it is proposed to develop a replacement for them - within the framework of the Future Vertical Lift program. As a result of this project, the army wants to get a certain analogue of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor with other capabilities.
It is necessary to develop artillery systems, primarily long-range ones, and also create missile systems of the Long Range Precision Fires type. High-precision missile and artillery systems, in particular, can be used to counter the Chinese naval forces. It is also necessary to develop the sphere of anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense. The army wants to create new communication and command systems that meet the requirements of the future.
The US Army plans to work in the conditions of active Russian and Chinese air defense, for which it needs the appropriate equipment. M. Esper noted that his department now does not have a universal reconnaissance and attack helicopter, and it needs to be created, since the Chinooks will not cope with such tasks.
In parallel, the modernization of existing samples, systems and complexes should be carried out. The Minister considers it necessary to restore a sufficient fleet of ground armored combat vehicles of the main classes. It is also necessary to create new strategies for the use of troops that meet the requirements of the time.
Based on the results of the upcoming transformations and purchases, the US ground forces will be able to solve all urgent tasks. They will retain the necessary capacity to engage in low-intensity conflicts, while restoring the potential for full-scale war. All of this is said to be a response to the "growing threat" from Russia and China.
Leeway
It should be noted that plans to modernize and optimize the US Army are not new. Such plans appeared before the approval of the National Security Strategy, and in 2017, the command identified six main programs on which the development of the army in the future is based. This list includes the development of new armored vehicles (NGCV program), missile and artillery systems (LRPF) and transport helicopters (FTV), as well as a radical modernization of the soldier's combat equipment. By 2024, more than $ 50 billion will be spent on all these programs.
The modernization of the army is necessary to restore its potential in the context of full-scale conflicts. Russia and China are considered as likely adversaries in the war of the future. However, this is not surprising. The two countries are busy developing their economies and armies, which poses a known threat to US interests.
In February of this year, M. Esper has already raised the topic of the development of the Russian and Chinese armies. According to him, in the foreseeable future, competing countries will achieve their highest military capabilities, and this should be prepared. According to the US Secretary of the Army, the development of the Russian armed forces will reach its peak in 2028. In 2030, China will reach its maximum indicators.
The minister pointed out that, despite the considerable reserve of time, it is necessary to prepare for such events now. The "new generation of the US Army" now being laid will prove itself in the coming decades - if it has to fight China and Russia.
Potential adversary's response
The US ground forces will modernize to participate in a hypothetical conflict with Russia or China, which will build the strongest armies in the coming years. Obviously, the United States will have to make special efforts to solve such problems. Especially taking into account the fact that the potential adversary already has sufficiently developed armed forces.
Considering the ratio of the armies of the United States and other countries, it is necessary to take into account that a land confrontation with China or Russia is possible only in a few regions. You also need to remember that the United States can act in conjunction with allied countries. Finally, ground forces cannot work in isolation from other branches of the armed forces and branches of the armed forces. However, they prove to be a key component of the army as a whole.
The Ministry of the Army plans to reduce the fleet of armored vehicles in favor of other equipment for transporting infantry. The modernization of tanks will also continue. The potential enemy can respond to all this with his own tanks and anti-tank systems of all kinds. New transport and reconnaissance and strike aircraft are at risk of encountering modern air defense systems. Other promising samples will also not go unanswered.
Participation in a hypothetical conflict with Russia for the United States is hampered by several main factors. First of all, it is a developed layered air defense and missile defense system. The presence of object and military air defense sharply complicates the work of the enemy's air force and army aviation. Foreign sources often point to Russia's ability to organize a full-fledged A2 / AD zone. The most important factor influencing the development of a land (or other) conflict is the presence of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons.
The participation of ground forces in the war with China is hampered by geographic reasons. Otherwise, the US Army may face the same problems as in the case of military operations against Russia. There are also possible other difficulties associated with logistics and the presence of China's developed fleet.
Benefits and Challenges
The military-political situation in the world is changing, and the United States Army intends to develop taking into account new threats and challenges. After a long struggle against terrorism and participation in local conflicts, she plans to rebuild in accordance with the requirements of full-scale wars. For obvious reasons, China and Russia are seen as possible adversaries. Taking into account their potential, the US Department of the Army is developing new plans and doctrines.
It is obvious that all the planned measures are aimed at containing a potential adversary. It makes no sense to use your powers to attack him. The specificity of hypothetical conflicts and the potential of the enemy are such that any such war threatens the United States with the most severe consequences. At the same time, the development of the army and the development of new programs require funding, and its development is a very useful and interesting process.
There is every reason to believe that the new modernization of the US ground forces is associated not only with the need to maintain the required defense capability, but also with the financial or other interests of various individuals and organizations. However, one of the results of such a program will indeed be the emergence of new models of materiel and the general strengthening of the army.
