Russia and NATO: A Tug-of-War in Numbers Amidst Nuclear Shadows

By Fatenn Jabari: Department of Strategic Research and International Relations.

Overseen by the Department of Security and Military Studies .April 17, 2024.

Introduction

As the Russo-Ukrainian conflict rages on and Ukraine’s potential NATO membership looms, questions swirl about the conflict’s trajectory and the martial might of NATO versus Russia’s military prowess. With NATO fortifying its Eastern flank, Moscow too has fortified its defenses and unveiled its nuclear arsenal. Essentially, Russia sees its Baltic Fleet as a bulwark guarding its southern frontiers.

With tensions boiling over in Eastern Europe following Russia’s military maneuvers in Ukraine, NATO commanders were granted authority to deploy troops “wherever the need arises” post-Russia’s recent actions. US President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders assured their Eastern European allies that they would not stand isolated against any Russian security threats.

Given the formidable military-nuclear challenge posed by both Russia and China to the alliance, the question that arises: who holds the military upper hand?

Nuclear Firepower

NATO’s trio of allies—the United States, Britain, and France—boasts an estimated 6,065 nuclear warheads. In contrast, Russia holds around 6,255 nuclear warheads, tipping the scale in Russia’s favor.

Russia heightened nuclear tensions with its NATO allies in the alliance’s Eastern wing by deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. This move prompted calls from these nations for nuclear armaments on their soil as a safeguard against potential harrowing scenarios.

Military Forces

In the global military hierarchy, Russia stands second with a force of 1.3 million troops. In contrast, NATO comprises 27 armies, with the US Army claiming the top spot as the world’s mightiest force.

As of 2022, NATO boasted around 3.37 million active military personnel, dwarfing Russia’s 1.35 million.

Collectively, NATO’s military might surpasses Russia’s in aircraft numbers (20,723 to 4,173) and naval strength (2,049 military vessels to 605). Yet, Russian ground forces remain competitive with 12,420 units against NATO’s 14,682. The combined nuclear arsenals of the US, UK, and France stand at 6,065 warheads, closely shadowed by Russia’s 6,255.

Ground Arsenal

When it comes to ground warfare, Russia takes the lead with approximately 22,000 armored vehicles, outpacing the top seven NATO armies’ 16,000.

Russia’s military, which allocates an annual $62 billion to its defense, also boasts over 4,000 aircraft and 1,500 helicopters. Additionally, Russia maintains 13,000 tanks, 27,000 armored fighting vehicles, and nearly 6,000 self-propelled artillery pieces, complemented by 336 intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Naval Dominance

However, in naval capabilities, NATO holds the edge with 1,145 warships compared to Russia’s 603.

NATO currently commands around 40,000 troops in its Eastern sector alone, ready for rapid deployment, with plans underway to boost the rapid response force to 300,000 soldiers.

Conclusion

The specter of danger casts a long shadow over Europe and the United States. The convergence of size, advanced weaponry, and cutting-edge technology amplifies the threat, while the potential use of nuclear weapons elevates the crisis to its zenith. Since the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early ’60s, the world has not faced such a palpable nuclear threat. Now, nuclear rhetoric and the possible deployment of tactical nuclear weapons loom as conceivable outcomes in political discourse and strategic evaluations.