Observations from the Russo–Ukrainian War: Implications for Southern African Regional Expeditionary Logistics

Abstract

A number of key observations affecting military logistics taken from the Russo–Ukrainian War carry important implications for logistic operations in Southern Africa. Despite these two areas of operations being quite dissimilar at a number of levels (i.e. geographically, climatically and politically), these have distinct implications, and the aim of this article is to outline five principal observations. Briefly stated, these are the use and evolution of uncrewed aerial systems and their role as surveillance and weapons platforms; the elongation of the so-called “last logistic mile”; the denial of airspace; the strategic importance of medical support; and the increasing presence of civilian contractors in the battlespace. This article will reflect on the importance of these observations, and highlight their importance in operational logistic planning in a future Southern African battlespace. Military logistic planners within South African Development  community1 militaries should note and apply these observations to their own specific circumstances.