The effectiveness of using HIMARS and ATACMS multi launch rocket systems in the Ukraine conflict has waned in part due to the proven capabilities of Russian electronic warfare EW networks. A notable analysis in Foreign Affairs highlights how sophisticated radio frequency and signal management are reshaping battlefield outcomes and weapon utility in the region.
According to the publication, every weapon carries a countermeasure, and Moscow has demonstrated a capability to disrupt the GPS guidance that ATACMS relies on to strike designated targets. This recognition points to a broader pattern where precision munitions can be hindered by jamming and spoofing techniques that degrade navigation signals, forcing operators to adapt tactics and rely more on alternative targeting methods.
The article notes that the brief early advantage of the short-range HIMARS system on the frontline in 2022 gave way to a more contested environment as the Russian armed forces developed and deployed deliberate jamming strategies. Such countermeasures have diminished the reliability of some precision strikes, underscoring the need for resilient guidance, redundancy, and real time intelligence to sustain effectiveness on the battlefield.
On January 20, the United States disclosed that Russia had limited Ukrainian capabilities with unmanned aerial systems, a reminder that aerial reconnaissance and strike assets must contend with layered EW and anti-UAS measures. This development has implications for how both sides plan operations, coordinate air and ground assets, and maintain situational awareness in an increasingly contested spectrum environment.
By January 22, the strategic role of Russian electronic warfare systems in the Ukraine conflict drew attention from observers in Poland and other allied capitals, signaling a broader concern about the balance of power in the electromagnetic spectrum and how it influences combat effectiveness across multiple domains.
Earlier remarks from Ukrainian military leadership underscored the challenges of scaling up drone production to a million units, emphasizing constraints in supply chains, production capacity, and the need for robust maintenance and operator training. The dialogue around drone proliferation reflects a wider debate about sustaining operational tempo while managing risks and vulnerabilities associated with a sudden surge in unmanned platforms. These themes recur in analyses of how EW, space-based navigation, and precision guidance intersect with conventionalarmed forces and evolving defense doctrines. [Citation: Foreign Affairs, 2024]