Russia Studied Some 90 Captured Western Weapons to Improve Its Air Defense, Land Systems

Russian specialists examined over 90 pieces of Western-made military equipment in 2024, using the findings to enhance domestic air defense and land systems, according to Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Vasily Trushin.

The analysis covered various unmanned combat vehicles, ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, M777 155mm howitzers, M224 60mm mortars, NLAW anti-tank guided missiles, AT4 CS RS and RGW 90 grenade launchers, and armored vehicles such as Kozak 2, VARTA, MASTIFF, and KIRPI.

Trushin stated that military scientists used the data to refine technical and tactical requirements for Russian weapons, helping the defense industry upgrade existing systems and develop new models. He added that troops were briefed on vulnerabilities in foreign equipment and given strategies to counter them, improving battlefield effectiveness.

Russian specialists also monitored their own weapons, assessing about 500 models during combat. Trushin noted that over 190 Russian systems underwent modifications based on battlefield feedback, with some losing effectiveness within months due to evolving conditions. He added that technological advancements on both sides required continuous research and adaptation in the ongoing conflict.

"Thanks to the work of Russian scientists and engineers, it was possible to achieve a significant breakthrough in the effectiveness of high-precision weapons, which, despite the active use of electronic warfare by the enemy, today amounts to at least 90 percent," said Colonel General Vasily Trushin.

"Another striking example was the research that allowed our air defense systems to more effectively counter Western missiles such as Storm Shadow and ATACMS, as well as shoot down enemy drones in a wider range of altitudes and speeds," Trushin said in an interview with the Russian Defense Ministry newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda.