The VN-22 armored vehicle is an important achievement of China North Industries Group and has attracted worldwide attention. Its advanced technology and powerful firepower are impressive, but the latest news is shocking: Iraq has massively modified the VN-22, turning it into a machine-gun car.
Originally, the VN-22 was known for its unique 30-mm gun and integrated unmanned weapons station, equipped with a powerful fire system, but the Iraqi modification operation completely changed all that. After modification, the VN-22 lost its original firepower advantage, the 30mm gun was replaced with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, and the technical level was also significantly reduced.
Iraq may have made this change for two reasons. First, Iraq may not be able to afford the high price of the original VN-22 and can only choose to convert it into a lower-cost machine-gun car. Second, Iraq may not have decided that the VN-22's original firepower was needed, so it was converted into a machine gun vehicle that was more in line with real needs.
However, such a modification operation undoubtedly deprived the originally high-profile VN-22 of its due combat effectiveness, and also raised questions about the level of equipment of the Iraqi army. After all, the original VN-22 has undergone rigorous testing and verification, has powerful firepower and advanced technology, and is the pride of the Chinese armored vehicle industry. And the modified machine gun car looks a little "disappointing".
Perhaps, we still need to wait for follow-up news to see which model of armored vehicles the Iraqi army will choose to mass-produce. If they end up opting for a machine-gun version of the VN-22, it may also reflect Iraq's current predicament and pressures.
The VN-22 armored car, once a model of high-tech Chinese weapons, has now been transformed into a different form. This incident is undoubtedly food for thought, and it also warns us that the fate of high-tech weapons is not satisfactory.
In the case of the modification of the VN-22 armored vehicle in Iraq, we have seen a typical phenomenon: even the most advanced technology and weapons can be changed and weakened for various reasons. Behind this is the struggle for political, economic, and military power between countries, as well as the realities of the arms race.
First, we need to understand the realities of Iraq. As a country plagued by war and civil strife for a long time, Iraq is not rich in resources and has a relatively limited military budget. In the face of external threats and internal security issues, Iraq must find a balance between safeguarding its national security and developing its economy. As a result, they have had to make some compromises and choices in arms procurement, and may not always be able to choose the most advanced weapons and equipment.
Second, from the perspective of international relations, the cooperative relationship between China and Iraq also plays an important role. Military cooperation between the two countries reflects both political relations as well as economic interests and geostrategic considerations. Iraq's choice to buy armored vehicles and production lines from China may be based on a combination of factors, not just technology.
Finally, we need to recognize that the modification of armaments and equipment is not always a bad thing. Although the modified VN-22 lost its original firepower superiority, it may be more suitable for the actual needs and operational environment of Iraq. The Iraqi army is likely to focus more on mobility, flexibility and cost-effectiveness than on firepower. Thus, the conversion of the VN-22 into a machine-gun car, perhaps, to a certain extent, met the practical needs of the Iraqi army.
To sum up, Iraq's modification of the VN-22 armored vehicle is not only a military-technical issue, but also a complex issue involving national interests, international relations, and military strategy. We need to understand and analyze this incident in an objective manner, rather than simply blaming or praising it. Only then will we be able to better understand the complexities behind the arms race and the realities that countries face in the face of security challenges.