[Mariner]

"Puhllease, the Russian army is just as corrupt and incompetent as it has always been."

While I'm inclined to believe that too, I don't know of any evidence that's a fact.

There is some MINOR evidence that Russia is fielding a better trained and better equipped force today. Though those numbers appear small, they are backed by large numbers of old-school Russian Army.

They could still lay a road with artillery across much of Europe. Lots of self-propelled tubes in inventory. Lots. 2500 is a minimum count with thousands in reserve.

Tanks: 2600 active with 12,000 in reserve/storage.

The implication being, of course, that these assets can be protected via air power.

Without US Air power, I doubt Europe could seriously challenge the Russians.

[ansel12]

Nonsense, Russia has a few units which enables it to conduct small operations, but as an army they are weak and limited, they just don't have the ability to invade against real military forces.

Would you want to send your tank and SP artillery columns against NATO and watch your ability to not only launch limited war, but to defend yourself against your true enemies, be erased?

Russia would be shattered and would break up, and at some point would be seeking help from NATO.

[B212]

good summary....your observations and the social rot that is the EU, a pushover for the Russians