Taking out the "Mobile Infantry"

With all the new technology these days, I sometimes feel like it will soon be impossible for citizens in any developed country to challenge a tyrannical government.  Helicopters and tanks are susceptible to infantry, as we saw in Vietnam and Afghanistan, but what about drones? Satellites?  Night vision goggles?  And in the developed world,  (America excepted) there is very little wilderness to hide in. Cities are replete with security and traffic cameras.

All of that would make things difficult, but not impossible.

As I was discussing this with a friend one day, he brought up a story he'd seen on the news about the development of powered Armor, like the kind in the book Starship Troopers.  If you're unfamiliar with the concept, read about it here.

First of all, powered armor will never fully replace infantry and standard military vehicles. Even if they could come up with a power source light enough to sustain it for more than a few hours, its range and capabilities would still be too limited for most operations: if batteries were used to power the suit, the only way to use powered armor-soldiers would be in the defense, or in vehicles where they could have their batteries charging while approaching the enemy. Flexibility, range of motion, ability to accurately aim and perform fine motor tasks would likely never be perfected. Maintenence nightmares increase exponentially as technological complexity grows. In addition, a rotten and corrupt bureaucratic tyranny will find it difficult to afford such weapons, and will produce models of doubtful quality and reliability.

So how would you beat the ones they did field? The same way you defeat enemy vehicles: rockets and bombs.  Grenades would probably kill the operator, too, if delivered  accurately. In extremis rifle fire would break vision and hearing devices, damage moving parts, and degrade the machine's ability to fight, just like with a tank or IFVs. But it would be even easier than all that. Such weapons would rely on  massive amounts of maintenance by highly trained operators and technicians, and a steady supply system to deliver expensive batteries, fuels, and parts. Each unit you destroyed would be a multi-million dollar loss to the enemy. Disrupt the supply chain, break the machines and wipe out operators with IEDs and anti-tank weapons,  target maintenance personnel and facilities, and soon the whole program would implode. Cut the strings and the marionette will tumble, no matter how impressive or formidable he is.