Question by curious: Were the USA and USSR really militarily balanced in the Cold War or was one stronger than the other?
Economically, the US dwarfed the USSR.
But in military terms, wre the two really balanced? USSR had more nuclear weapons, a far larger army and more reserve manpower.
America’s army was far smaller and they had a smaller nuclear arsenal but a bigger navy and air-force than the USSR.
In the 1980s, the USA began to pull well ahead of the Soviets in technological terms, plus the USSR was dwindling economically and softening politically. But prior to that, who was militarily stronger of the two?
Answers and Views:
Answer by USNS
Half the missiles the USSR paraded down Red Square were wooden dummies.
I’d say the U.S. obviously was on top, but the USSR was able to fool a lot of people and keep us scared.
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IrishEyes84 says
After WWII the United States' Navy was larger than the other top three Navy's in the world put together. However, within 10 years of the wars end we had reduced it considerably allowing the USSR to get closer but still not as large or advanced. There is really no way of knowing USSR's true military capability during this time because of the lies and deception involved. Let's just say that it really doesn't matter whose military was bigger or better, the war would be over in about an hour.
molkey says
The U.S.A. was but we did not know it at the time. The USSR was masters at bluffing and lying, the only technology they had the had to steal from use.