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OPINION APRIL 03, 2023 | The Indian Eye 11

bank to budget the cost of war. Till
date, approximately US$ 50 billion
worth of support from several West-
ern countries has come to the aid of
Ukraine. The total aid to Ukraine is
several times its domestic capacity to
sustain the war.
This corporatization of the war
effort by Western powers, whatever
their individual motives might be,
has demonstrated that today even a
weaker party to the war can stand up
to a great power, and fight. This rais-
es a few issues. One, military budgets
in the future could well carry a virtual
value, buttressed by the defense net-
works and collaboration pacts drawn
up by a country, globally or region-
ally. Two, as money will flow in from
different states displaced globally,
the utilization of it is likely to be driv-
en by the ideological proclivities of
the donor states.
And three, this might prompt
like-minded states to look at the cre-
ation of a global fund for security,
akin to NATO’s two percent pledge,
to meet unforeseen threats and chal-
lenges. Money matters in war, but
whose money, will have a little mean-
ing in future wars.
Secondly, this war has been par-
ticularly instructive on the military
ingenuity and resolve demonstrated Russia has not abandoned its war objectives, in the belief that its sheer size and military wherewithal matters (File photo)
by the Ukrainian armed forces in de-
terring rapid Russian advances. The been smart to never look at weap- tween Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine Ukraine with a steady supply of
community-sizing of war by Ukraine on platforms in isolation, without will benefit from new hardware in- weapons arms, lacks the combat
demonstrates how a state leverages taking into account where and when ductions, including battle tanks, in- power to push back the Russian
its political will and societal resil- these and other complementing ca- fantry vehicles, air defense systems forces from its territory. A mili-
ience to alter military outcomes. The pabilities have to be employed. Mil- and long-range munitions supplied tary stalemate could well emerge.
Ukrainian military has been most itary technology will always matter by Europeans and the United States. The prospects of a stalemate might
successful in integrating its civilians on the battlefield, but which ones, Russia could also be expected to then open doors to negotiations.
into an effective territorial force. along with which other technolo- substantially ramp up its production Enormous death and destruction in
Further, by leveraging its citizenry gies, will be most important in these capacities and match the Ukraini- this war, the risk of nuclear escala-
on social media, Ukraine has ex- new-age wars. ans in numbers, if not in quality. tion, and the economic disruptions
panded its strategic reach and influ- And fourthly, the fact that In the meantime, Ukraine will caused by the conflict might expe-
ence, which is symbolic of the role of for Ukraine, a steady supply of have to cope with a new Russian dite this prospect.
societal culture in the future of war- war-fighting material in terms of offensive. As civilian casualties Till the time the parties to con-
fare. As Mick Ryan, a well-known munitions, spare parts, and a surge mount, availability of conscripts de- flict decide to cease fire, the ongo-
military commentator argues, while in industrial capacities has emerged pletes and the war-fighting where- ing corporatization of war effort in
machines might be important, un- as another crucial factor in winning withal exhausts, the incentive to Ukraine will continue to escalate and
like men, they do not plan, fight or a war. The fact that Western coun- find a battle-winning strategy will shape the character of this war.
win wars. tries are drawing down on their only grow. While there are several
Thirdly, the Ukrainian state also own stocks of munitions to support important contributory factors to a Lt Gen Harinder Singh, Retd, is
seems to be doing well in acquiring Ukraine, in a way, highlights the successful war fighting strategy, it Former DGMI and Commandant IMA.
the right war-fighting technologies sheer importance of uninterrupted is always the terrain and territory, He has tenanted several important
that provide their armed forces with supply of war-fighting material in where soldiers will have to fight to command and staff assignments in the
a decisive military advantage. Ini- long-drawn wars. This war is replete win or lose, where territorial sover- Indian Army.
tially, the Javelins and Stingers, then with examples of what happens eignty will be preserved or lost, and Views expressed are of the author and
HIMARS, and now tanks, and pos- when a nation tries to fight a war where the leaders would recalibrate do not necessarily reflect the views of
sibly fighter aircraft, point towards without fully considering the impact or standby their objectives to accept the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the
the right choice of technology. The of logistics and sustainment. Muni- the outcomes of war. Government of India.
Ukrainians have demonstrated tion and material are the new oil for Thus far, Russia has not aban-
an extraordinary acumen to meld war; you need it more than ever be- doned its war objectives, in the be- This article first appeared in the
technologies obtained from diverse fore, at industrial scales, and no less. lief that its sheer size and military Comments section of the website (www.
sources, with little training and lo- In the coming months, the wherewithal matters. But then, idsa.in) of Manohar Parrikar Institute
gistical support on the battlefield. Ukrainian war will be shaped by the Russia lacks the capability to de- for Defense Studies and Analyses, New
Moreover, the Ukrainians have evolving balance of military power be- feat Ukraine. On the other hand, Delhi on March 22, 2023

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