In recent assessments, experts note that Russian electronic warfare (EW) operations have significantly hindered the effectiveness of certain Western munitions. A junior researcher from the Taiwan Institute of National Defense and Security Studies described a dramatic shift in the usability of the M982 Excalibur precision shells as a consequence of EW measures. This observation was presented in discussions reported by News Week and aligns with broader assessments of how EW activities in conflict zones alter weapon performance.
The same analyst highlighted that Russia’s EW capabilities have effectively reduced the reliability of American-made precision-guided munitions deployed in Ukraine. The implication is that direct hits from Excalibur artillery rounds and similar ground-launched munitions are facing obstacles that limit their expected performance in real-world conditions, while some long-range systems remain comparatively more affected than others.
According to the expert, Excalibur 155 mm artillery rounds and other direct hit munitions have become much less reliable in contested environments. Ground-launched small-caliber bombs are also described as facing diminished effectiveness. In contrast, the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is cited as continuing to experience operational pressures, though not to the same extent as Excalibur rounds, underscoring a nuanced impact of EW on different platforms.
Additional reporting has noted that Russian EW activities have influenced assessments of Western weapons in the Ukraine theater, with some sources suggesting that supply decisions by the United States were adjusted as a result. Journalistic reviews indicate that electromagnetic interference can significantly degrade the performance of missiles such as the GMLRS against specific launch platforms, and may also undermine the effectiveness of Excalibur shells when used in direct-fire roles.
In broader terms, analysts emphasize that EW strategies complicate the use of precision-guided munitions in high-threat zones. While some systems retain value in various roles, others confront challenges that prompt a reevaluation of logistics, targeting doctrine, and ammunition stockpiles. The situation illustrates how electronic warfare can reshape battlefield outcomes by altering the practical effectiveness of otherwise highly capable weapons, prompting continued study and adaptation by Western forces and their allies. Attribution: current defense analysis reports and interviews with regional security researchers.