III Corps studies Russia’s adaptation to new warfare techniques in Ukraine

FORT HOOD, Texas (KWTX) – III Armored Corps has been conducting a study with military professionals from the U.S. and allied forces overseas on how drone technology is changing warfare and what that could mean for heavy armored vehicles in future combat.

Soldiers and experts at Fort Hood are studying Russian military tactics used over the last five years in the conflict in Ukraine.

“We conducted the Russian Way Of War class. It is a discussion on the Russian military specifically focused on the last 5 years or so of the conflict inside of Ukraine,” said Maj. Kevin Shang, Army strategist with III Corps.

Increase in drone use

Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began, there has been an increase in drones and similar technology used on the battlefield.

“They are very cheap compared to some of the systems that we employ today. So, the amount that you can bring on the battlefield, the damage they can do at that scale, is different. Now that being said, the capabilities that they bring to the battlefield are not unique,” Shang said.

Guided missiles and other systems have been used for a long time, but their use is changing.

“They’re employed in different ways now that are enabled by the advent of drone warfare that we are confronting. So what that means for us, is that we can’t stay stagnant. We need to change what we are doing to reflect the new realities of the battlefield,” Shang said.

Future of armored vehicles

Heavy armored vehicles, including tanks, are III Corps’ specialty. Shang said drones are becoming more common on the battlefield, changing the future role of vehicles like tanks.

“Not hey, is armor obsolete or is it not obsolete. It’s understanding that these are the tools that we have and how do we employ them to their maximum effect on the battlefield. So, when we talk about armor and the future of it, it is a development in progress. It is something that is being written right now that is not written yet,” Shang said.

Either way, they must adapt to survive.

“There are several inflection points in history where technology comes in, has a major disruption on how things have been done and will be done on the battlefield, and I think we are at one of those inflection points,” Shang said.

The study’s purpose is to help organizations like III Corps stay relevant and adapt to modern warfare techniques observed overseas. III Corps said that despite rapid changes in technology, vehicles like tanks will still be needed on the battlefield.