One question often asked is: Why do Western countries, especially the United States and Israel, suffer far fewer casualties in wars, particularly in conflicts like Israel’s operations in Gaza and Lebanon?
The answer lies largely in their equipment and tactical approaches. Consider the image of the U.S. MATV armored vehicle. This medium-weight armored vehicle can withstand blasts from roadside bombs, machine-gun fire, and other small arms. Its crew can also respond from a remote-controlled weapon station mounted on top of the vehicle. As a result, soldiers inside remain safe during sudden attacks.
Typically, U.S. military convoys are made up of such armored vehicles. They do not rely on unarmored vehicles like a standard Toyota Hilux.
Now compare this with a typical scenario in my own country, a region plagued by insurgency. A Toyota Hilux carrying ten soldiers moves through mountainous terrain. A junior officer sits in the front seat. Suddenly, the enemy opens fire at close range. The vehicle, vulnerable to pistols, machine guns, rockets, rifle grenades, and even sniper fire, becomes a deadly trap.
Within minutes, attackers seize the vehicle and weapons, leaving the soldiers behind as martyrs, often before anyone realizes where the attack came from. Media coverage may follow hours later, reporting that ten soldiers were killed in a cowardly terrorist attack. Higher officials then perform ceremonial rituals while attempting to hide operational failures.
This doesn’t even include the advantages of Western soldiers’ rifles, protective jackets, and helmets, which can stop most rifle rounds. The equipment alone greatly increases survival rates in combat situations.
In short, the low casualty rate of Western militaries is not accidental—it is the result of superior technology, protective gear, armored vehicles, and tactical training that reduces vulnerability on the battlefield.