Does NATO Stand a Chance Against Russia?

Is There Still a Need for NATO?

While the Cold War has gone long cold, that isn’t the whole story. Russia retains a rather aggressive foreign policy stance, especially in regard to its neighbors. As such, NATO remains a valuable military alliance for most of Europe.

Does Russia Retain Significant Military Power?

While the Soviet Union has been dashed across the ashes of history, Russia has a significant military presence in its region. Compared to the biggest militaries in the world, Russia has more than enough resources to remain a potent threat.

Submarines

• Russia’s projected capacity: 53 hulls
• NATO’s projected capacity: 37 hulls
• United States’ projected capacity: 64 hulls

Corvettes

• Russia’s projected capacity: 65 hulls
• NATO’s projected capacity: 16 hulls
• United States’ projected capacity: 23 hulls

Frigates

• Russia’s projected capacity: 8 hulls
• NATO’s projected capacity: 34 hulls
• United States’ projected capacity: None

Naval destroyers

• Russia’s projected capacity: 11 hulls
• NATO’s projected capacity: 28 hulls
• United States’ projected capacity: 75 hulls

Helicopter carriers

• Russia’s projected capacity: None
• NATO’s projected capacity: 3 hulls
• United States’ projected capacity: 9 hulls

Aircraft carriers

• Russia’s projected capacity: 1 hull
• NATO’s projected capacity: 4 hulls
• United States’ projected capacity: 11 hulls

Total naval assets

• Russia’s projected capacity: 449 hulls
• NATO’s projected capacity: 687 hulls
• United States’ projected capacity: 472 hulls

Rocket artillery

• Russia’s projected capacity: 2,915 pieces
• NATO’s projected capacity: 429 pieces
• United States’ projected capacity: 694 pieces

Towed artillery

• Russia’s projected capacity: 3,252 pieces
• NATO’s projected capacity: 1,765 pieces
• United States’ projected capacity: 1,267 pieces

Self-propelled guns

• Russia’s projected capacity: 4,931 vehicles
• NATO’s projected capacity: 1,158 vehicles
• United States’ projected capacity: 1,595 vehicles

Armored fighting vehicles

• Russia’s projected capacity: 113,731 units
• NATO’s projected capacity: 251,909 units
• United States’ projected capacity: 360,069 units

Tanks

• Russia’s projected capacity: 9,425 vehicles
• NATO’s projected capacity: 3,184 vehicles
• United States’ projected capacity: 4,657 vehicles

Attack helicopters

• Russia’s projected capacity: 403 units
• NATO’s projected capacity: 360 units
• United States’ projected capacity: 1,000 units

Helicopters

• Russia’s projected capacity: 1,148 units
• NATO’s projected capacity: 2,172 units
• United States’ projected capacity: 5,737 units

Aerial refueling craft

• Russia’s projected capacity: 14 units
• NATO’s projected capacity: 155 units
• United States’ projected capacity: 606 units

Special-mission aircraft

• Russia’s projected capacity: 110 units
• NATO’s projected capacity: 244 units
• United States’ projected capacity: 695 units

Fixed-wing transporters

• Russia’s projected capacity: 333 units
• NATO’s projected capacity: 381 units
• United States’ projected capacity: 957 units

Dedicated attack aircraft

• Russia’s projected capacity: 558 units
• NATO’s projected capacity: 277 units
• United States’ projected capacity: 896 units

Fighter and interceptor aircraft

• Russia’s projected capacity: 580 units
• NATO’s projected capacity: 881 units
• United States’ projected capacity: 1,854 units

Total airpower

• Russia’s projected capacity: 3,137 aircraft
• NATO’s projected capacity: 5,253 aircraft
• United States’ projected capacity: 13,209 aircraft

Reserve manpower

• Russia’s projected capacity: 187,500 personnel
• NATO’s projected capacity: 649,150 personnel
• United States’ projected capacity: 799,500 personnel

Frontline manpower

• Russia’s projected capacity: 623,175 personnel
• NATO’s projected capacity: 851,350 personnel
• United States’ projected capacity: 1,328,000 personnel

Combined manpower

• Russia’s projected capacity: 810,000 personnel
• NATO’s projected capacity: 1,506,750 personnel
• United States’ projected capacity: 2,127,500 personnel