10,000 remote RAAMS anti-tank mine systems will provide Ukraine with a "decisive potential".
While drones, electronic warfare and artillery played a significant role during the Russo-Ukrainian war, another technology decided many of the outcomes on the battlefield: mines.
This revealed to "Forbes" Vikram Mittal, associate professor of systems engineering at the US Military Academy.
He says that when Western munitions start arriving on Ukrainian front lines, 10,000 remote-controlled anti-tank mortars (RAAMS), part of a recent US aid package, will replenish Ukraine's stockpile of artillery mines.
"These systems come at a critical time as Russian forces advance in Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The RAAMS systems will provide Ukraine with an extremely important capability as it tries to repel this renewed Russian offensive," the expert said.
He notes that each RAAMS round contains nine M718 or M741 anti-tank mines in a 155mm artillery shell. Once launched, the RAAMS "disperses" those mines in a certain area. With a range of up to 17 km, the system allows the deployment of a minefield over a long distance.
Once on the ground, the mines are activated and are designed to disable armored vehicles by targeting their vulnerable undercarriage.
"The war is at a critical stage and the current Russian offensive has the potential to achieve significant success.
Therefore, the Ukrainians must control this offensive to avoid losing a significant part of their country. The recent aid package from the United States arrives just in time to support Ukraine's efforts.
In particular, 10,000 RAAMS will have an immediate impact on the battlefield", the expert sums up.