Thursday, April 10, 2014

The Russian Military Is Outmanned And Outgunned By NATO

Russia Is Outmanned And Outgunned -- David A. Shlapak, US News And World Report

NATO can easily field a military far superior to Russia's.

Russia’s occupation of Crimea has created new interest in an issue that was once at the heart of U.S. security policy but has been on hiatus for more than 20 years — the military balance in Europe. The American military presence in Europe has declined precipitously, and its NATO allies universally have slashed the sizes of their defense establishments. This has led to some concerns that the West’s ability to deter Russia is weaker, even far weaker, than it was during the Cold War.

The truth is actually quite the opposite: Despite the smaller number of U.S. troops in Europe, the military balance there is far more favorable to NATO today than it was when nearly 10 times as many American soldiers, sailors and airmen were stationed on the continent. The reason for this is simple and obvious: the disastrous — from Moscow’s point of view — revision of the overall European security environment that began in the early 1990s.

With unrest continuing in Ukraine, the West can take some comfort in its modern day military advantage over Russia in Europe. And though numbers alone may not deter Russia from further adventurism, the shift in the balance of forces has been remarkable over the past two decades.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is a perspective on the military balance in Europe.

6 comments:

D.Plowman said...

I'm sure Hitler thought the same when he invaded Russia...

This article should have been posted on April Fools day.

James said...

"I'm sure Hitler thought the same when he invaded Russia.." Though past performance is no guarantee of future ability, it's a good analogy.
I read the article and do not understand these "experts"!
1) Where is the political will in the West to field a unified force with a clear objective?
2) Just what forces in the West excluding the US are they thinking of?
3) Can you imagine the time it would take to organize the West. To those who say we already have an existing command structure I have a one word reply FRANCE!

Plowman I also agree whole heartedly with the last part of your comment, these people are delusional.

Unknown said...

This analysis is from a military point of view and not from a political prospective, when I do agree that the west doesn't have the will to fight the Russians, that doesn't mean that their army is not strong enough for the Russians or can't win that fight.

War News Updates Editor said...

If there is a NATO invasion and fight .... OMG .... think Pearl Harbor with a Russian accent .... and they will be worse than the Americans in WWII. Think scorch earth and massive destruction with WMDs .... and they will use it even knowing that there will be a massive retaliation if they did. There are certain doors that should never be opened .... this is definitely one of them. And as for these 'military experts' .... their focus is on a conventional battle .... but I know that the Russian focus will be both conventional and non-conventional (i.e. nuclear).

James said...

"This analysis is from a military point of view and not from a political prospective" That is point 3 in my comment. Excluding the US, NATO would have trouble fielding even one armored division for sustained operations. France could possibly do it, Britain the logistics would be horrific, Germany probably, but the political implications would be enormous. That leaves East European countries, of them possibly Poland, but they are on the edge of any NATO air envelope and right in Russia's. WNU you're right mostly on Russia and non-conventional warfare, it is in their usage doctrine and not as last resort. Though it may be an illusion the Russians look well equipped and fairly professional. Of course history's graveyard is full of brand new shiny armies and the Russians may fold at contact, but it won't be from anything the West army does, it will come from an unseen deficiency of the Russians.

Unknown said...

The US and NATO have capabilities to vaporize Russia's antique weapons at will... Russia has no chance!