The point is this: US have better technology, Russia has better scientists.

With good cash flow in the years to come, Russia will raise the technological level of its armed forces.

At the moment, except USA, no military in the world can match Russian. AFter some time, considering the economic boom in Russia (and US recession) and the quantity of her resources, Russia will most likely become the world's military power No1. Time will show.

And Funding is what they need. Observe:

Heh heh...they did finally manage to launch one (1) last year.

There are two more under construction. I am not sure what this class offers that previous classes did not. It's capabilities don't seem that remarkable compared to other modern subs.

__________________
My Political Blog (Most recent update Oct 3rd) - Which Flame Warrior are you?

If Russia had better scientists, they would also have better technology.

But Russia's main weakness is it's economy, not the quality of it's scientists.


They will never have that with people like Putin in power.


Even during the deepest point of a recession, our economy dwarf's Russia's. Their peak is still lower than our worst day. The same is true of China.

The entire EU combined barely matches the American economy.


It already has. The Soviets had Russia's resources. Where are they now?

__________________
My Political Blog (Most recent update Oct 3rd) - Which Flame Warrior are you?

In an entirely different role than the one it was designed for. It may still be a bomber, but we have no intention of ever using to deliver nukes to Russia again (we have the B-2 for that). The B-52 is a tactical/strategic bomber in areas where we have air superiority and a cruise missile carrier otherwise.

__________________
sputterman: "Aiding the enemy? If the truth aids the enemy then we are in the wrong war."

They could but it would be a greivous waste of resources. No navy would waste a MIRVed SLBM on a carrier group when a nuclear torpedo or cruise missile would work better.

To counter this though, Russia could expect an appropriate retaliation if they destroyed one of our carrier groups with a nuke.

__________________
sputterman: "Aiding the enemy? If the truth aids the enemy then we are in the wrong war."

Yeah, the B-52 has long been obsolete for the role it was intended. Even in areas where we have air superiority we would probably still use the F-117 or other modern bombers.

Bombing warfare now is about precision munitions, not carpet bombing. And carpet bombing is what the B-52 was designed to do.

__________________
My Political Blog (Most recent update Oct 3rd) - Which Flame Warrior are you?

Yep...MAD works against Russia, because they care about the consequences. We can do everything they can.

__________________
My Political Blog (Most recent update Oct 3rd) - Which Flame Warrior are you?

Money is the problem. Or was.

But your peak, whichever it is, is lower than Russian bottom considering the potentials of their country. Wait and see the polar bear wake up and all of you tremble before him

We still use carpet bombing though. And the B-52 can carry guided bombs.

We use the B-52 in less populated areas in Afghanistan to do Vietnam style Arklight attacks, which are effectively carpet bombing. And B-52's in Afghanistan can loiter over the battlefield for a long time carrying JDAMs and JSOWs (by the dozens) for use by any ground unit that calls for them.

__________________
sputterman: "Aiding the enemy? If the truth aids the enemy then we are in the wrong war."

Careful what you wish for. I know you think a powerful Russia will be your good friend and shoot Albanians for you.

But I imagine not too long ago the Bear looked upon your chunk of the world as a bunch of seals.

Also Russia will face competition from China and, eventually, India for being the major player in the region. Especially depending on whether Russia moves forward or backward. And of course the EU continues to grow and gain cohesivness, though how cohesive and effective they can be in the sense of operating as a single force remains to be seen.

What I'd hope in these buildups is that we could avoid a cold war feeling. Maybe instead play powers vs rogue states.