A.S. KARAPETYAN, Major, Senior Lecturer, Center for Research on Operational Art, NDRU, MOD, RA

SUMMARY

Provided that the means of armed struggle see constant qualitative development, the nature of operations undergoes significant changes, that imposes new requirements on the system of comprehensive (including engineering) support of combat operations. In particular, the dynamic nature of combat operations has drastically increased, the capabilities of offensive means have significantly exceeded those of defense (precision weapons, UAVs, assets of air and space recon­nais­sance, etc.), which has significantly exacerbated the problem of covering friendly forces. Since the main goals of engineering support are to ensure the survivability and mobility of friendly forces, to interdict enemy’s actions, and to cause him damage by making use of engineer ammuni­tion, this suggests that the role of engineering support of combat opera­tions will constantly increase.

In these terms engineering support also undergoes active transforma­tions owing to the technological development in the military sphere, namely, improvement of engineering equipment, and more specifically of means of constructing mine barrages.

When determining the ways of improving engineer ammuni­tion, it is important to take into account the probable nature of future wars and armed conflicts, the requirements for engineering support for combat opera­tions, the experience of using engineer ammuni­tion in modern local wars, predominantly the means of employing and ensuring the safety of mix and explosive mine barrages (minefields), and the nature and conditions of the probable theater of operations.