The failed revolt by the Wagner Group in June resulted in the shooting down of several Russian military aircraft, including an Il-22M. This aircraft, also known as “Coot-B” by NATO, is a crucial command center and radio relay used to coordinate air and ground forces. The loss of this aircraft could have a significant impact on Russia’s ability to operate in Ukrainian airspace.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, the Il-22M is one of Russia’s few aircraft capable of orchestrating its forces effectively in the war against Ukraine. It operates in the safety of Russian airspace, beyond the range of Ukrainian air defense systems. The Il-22M, as well as its US counterpart, the E8-C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, serve as airborne hubs for integrating forces on the battlefield. The tight coordination between different capabilities, such as jets, missiles, electronic warfare, and satellite communications, is essential for modern military operations.
Russia currently only has 12 Il-22Ms, making each one invaluable. The loss of just one could have a significant impact, especially if Russia intends to increase its air operations over Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense suggests that tasking levels may need to be reduced to manage the remaining fleet safely, undermining Russia’s ability to command and coordinate its forces, particularly during high-tempo operations.
This loss of command and control could potentially benefit Ukrainian forces, as Russian aerial attacks have previously caught them off guard. According to a report by the Royal United Services Institute, one reason for this was the poor dissemination of surveillance information from radar to the Il-20M airborne command post. This lack of communication between air-defense units, command posts, and fighter patrols is a weakness in the Russian military’s command structure.
In contrast to Western air forces, which use AWACS aircraft to coordinate various elements, Russian pilots operate under a rigid and centralized command structure inherited from the Soviet era. They lack the training and initiative of Western pilots, which puts a premium on Russia’s flying command posts like the Il-22M.
Overall, the loss of the Il-22M and the command and control challenges faced by the Russian military highlight the weaknesses in their operational capabilities. This incident could have a detrimental effect on morale within the Russian Aerospace Force. It is evident that Russia needs to address its rigid and fragile command system if it wants to improve its effectiveness in future operations.
In conclusion, the shooting down of the Il-22M during the Wagner Group’s revolt has highlighted the importance of command and control in military operations. The loss of this aircraft could hinder Russia’s ability to operate in Ukrainian airspace and coordinate its forces effectively. It also underscores the weaknesses in the Russian military’s command structure and the need for improvements in this area.
Source link
