Ukraine has formed a new powerful brigade, but it lacks critically important weapons – Forbes.

One of the new brigades of the Ukrainian army - the 155th mechanized brigade - has returned to Ukraine after a three-month training in Poland and France. Forbes analyst David Ax notes that this is the best and most heavily armed of all the new brigades created in Ukraine lately. However, for full combat readiness, the brigade lacks critically important drones.

Analyst David Ax notes that the 155th mechanized brigade was formed in May, but by September it did not actually exist, as most of its soldiers - 2,300 people - were undergoing training in France, while several hundred soldiers from the brigade's tank battalion were training in Poland together with the Polish army.

The French provided the 155th mechanized brigade with Caesar self-propelled howitzers, AMX-10RC reconnaissance vehicles, and heavy mortars. The Poles transferred 31 Leopard 2A4 tanks.

It is noted that, although the 155th mechanized brigade is not the best equipped, it is still at a high level. This brigade is an important reserve for Ukraine and should be ready to replace any other brigade on the front.

However, according to Ukrainian military correspondent Yuriy Butusov, the brigade lacks drones and means to counter them. This is a serious problem, as drones are the most important means of observation and attack on both sides in the war, the analyst points out.

For the 155th mechanized brigade, it would be a military mistake to engage in combat operations without drones or means of protection against them... The shortage of drones has a worrying trend. Over the 33 months since the beginning of the Russian aggression, Ukraine has significantly expanded its capabilities for drone production and electronic warfare means. But even several dozen new brigades will not be enough to meet Ukraine's needs on the front. The country produces millions of drones annually, but it is still insufficient.

It is worth noting that training of the Ukrainian infantry brigade 'Anna Kyivska' is completing in eastern France.

It was previously reported that in 2025 students of higher educational institutions will undergo mandatory general military training, but this will not apply to first-year students. The problem of training centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where mobilized soldiers are trained, is the lack of instructors. According to the General Staff's data, approximately 25% of instructor positions remain unfilled.