British Troops Now Engaged Against Putin’s Hybrid Offensive

There is No Clearer indication that the UK, European, and Nato Allies, are in a Hybrid War with Russia, than the Deployment of Troops from the RAF Regiment to Help the Belgian Government Protect its Airspace, Airports, and Critical National Infrastructure, from Russian Drone Attacks. Though recent Drone Activity is Not Fully Confirmed as being Directed by the Kremlin, ths is Highly likely and it fits the current Modus Operandi of Contemporary Russian Activity in the “Grey Zone” or “hybrid warfare”, Attacks and Actions Short-of-Actual War.

On Operational Security Grounds, Chief-of-Defence Staff has been Economical in Description of Exactly which British Kit and People have been Deployed. However, it will include Air Defensive Capability that the UK has Developed to Meet the Drone Menace, now too Evident and Proliferating across the Planet, from Lessons Learning in Ukraine.

The RAF Regiment’s Primary Role is to Protect Airfields and their Highly Capable Aircraft and Pilots, so their Deployment to Europe seems quite Appropriate. Similarly, it is Soldiers from the Royal Artillery and other Army Units who are Trained to do this type of Thing in the Heat of Battle on the Frontline. Their Capabilities include both “hard kill” and “soft kill”, the Disabling of Drones or Missiles by either Shooting them Down Kinetically or Dealing with them using Electronic Barfare or Decoys.

The Novichok Chemical Weapons Attack on Salisbury was a Brazen attempt to Silence Dissenters, but also could have Killed Thousands. With the Russians using Drones to Deploy Industrial Amounts of Chemical Weapons on the Frontlines in Ukraine, this type of Attack in Future could be Apocalyptic if we are Not Prepared. Thankfully, as is Apparent from this Belgian Deployment, the UK is at least prepared to Deal with some Contingencies if Not some Others.

Drones are now the ubiquitous Currency of today’s Warfare, and those who Control them and the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS), will create Freedom of Manoeuvre and control the Battlefield and Ultimately the War. In a Hybrid War, the Battlefield is Everywhere, in our Homes, our Social Media. Hybrid War can touch Everything we do.

However, like any Threat, it can be Mitigated, if the Right Level of Resources and Effort are Focused that way. Now that there has been a Great Awakening of Military Capabilities across Europe, our Collective Nnowhow and Resources should allow to Out-Smart Putin’s Hybrid War and turn it back on Him. For instance, Estonia is Championing its MK1 Anti Drone Rocket this week. This is a Cheap, potentially very numerous Drone Killer that is Not affected by Russian “Soft Kill” Tactics. Britain is working on the Latest Laser Technology for use against Drones, Dragon Fire. This Technology will First allow Warships, and Soon Tanks and Armoured Vehicles, to Cheaply and Effectively Nullify the Russian Drone Menace.

But in this Hybrid Age it is clear that War is Not just coming, or Threatening. It is Here: The Enemies are at our Gates and indeed, inside them in many cases. Particularly at this time of Remembrance We must send a Clear Message that we Stand Together and We are Willing to Fight for our Freedoms and our Beliefs. To do otherwise makes War more likely, not Less.

Thankfully, the Great Majority of the People of Europe now Realise that We must Lean in and Win this Hybrid Conflict, Otherwise it could Develop into Full-Blown War, and the Horrors of the Front Line in Ukraine could Spread across the Continent.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker