Is it true that in terms of nuclear capabilities, Russia is several steps ahead of the United States? In the event of a shooting war between the two powers that most likely will escalate into a nuclear showdown, will Moscow emerge victorious over Washington?
Military experts agree that if the sole gauge of a confrontation between Russia and the U.S. is modern weaponry, specifically the two parties' nuclear arsenals, it is the former that will come out as the clear winner. However, the same experts are clear on one thing - in the event of a nuclear war, freshly-made intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) do not always point to sophistication.
In an interview with Business Insider, Dr. Jeffrey Lewis of Arms Control Wonk likened America's nuclear weapon stocks to that of a Ferrari. "Beautiful, intricate and designed for high performance," was how Lewis described the stockpile of Minuteman III ICBMs possessed by the U.S. that on paper were out-specced by Russia's RS-24 Yars ICBMs.
But when quality is the emphasis of the contest, the RS-24 Yars, while destructive and fearsome as advertised by the Russians, is a mere shell of incremental enhancements. Whatever edge these Russian ICBMs enjoy over their American counterparts will gradually diminish and in about 10 years will be eventually outpaced by the Minuteman III.
The RS-24 Yars is known too for mobile delivery of potential destruction as it is no secret that the Kremlin also maintains the missile system on trucks. It might prove a key advantage but it is also a weakness. Moving missiles are exposed and therefore vulnerable to attacks to neutralize whereas U.S. ICBMs on land-based silos are heavily fortified, meaning they are better defended.
Also, the U.S. has Minuteman IIIs on truck deployments, which Lewis said are "gold-plated" when compared to their Russian equivalent. So the issue is all about quality ICBMs that in the U.S. side is even more highlighted by the superior skills and experience of the military personnel in charge of the nuclear weapons.
To best picture the lopsided match, Lewis said the Russian ICBMs are manned mostly by conscripts while on the other side those in control are dominantly NCOs or non-commissioned officers that boast of years if not decades of training and nuclear warfare know-how. On this aspect, the promise of reckless and widespread destruction from Russia is readily overwhelmed by the uncompromising accuracy observed by the United States.
But at the end of the day, Lewis is convinced that doomsday within the U.S. fence and no matter the opponent is - Russia, China or North Korea - is not happening anytime soon and that's because of the MAD or mutually assured destruction doctrine.
It could be that from the other side of the Pacific, Russian President Vladimir Putin can press the button that will lay U.S. cities to waste in just 30 minutes. But U.S. President Barack Obama can retaliate just before the Russian-delivered nuclear apocalypse descends. Minuteman III rockets will surely vaporize any Russian targets in seconds, Business Insider said.