The New York TimesThe New York Times

For Western weapons, the Ukraine war is a beta test

By Lara Jakes

15 Nov 2022 · 6 min read

Editor's Note

For Western military commanders, Ukraine has become a testing ground for new weapons and tactics. The NYT reports that what is happening in Ukraine now could shape warfare for generations to come.

Three months ago, as Ukrainian troops were struggling to advance against Russian forces in the south, the military’s headquarters in Kyiv quietly deployed a valuable new weapon to the battlefield.

It was not a rocket launcher, cannon or another kind of heavy arms from Western allies. Instead, it was a real-time information system known as Delta — an online network that military troops, civilian officials and even vetted bystanders could use to track and share desperately needed details about Russian forces.

Sign in to informed

  • Curated articles from premium publishers, ad-free
  • Concise Daily Briefs with quick-read summaries
  • Read, listen, save for later, or enjoy offline
  • Enjoy personalized content
Or

LoginForm.agreeToTerms