Soviet concepts and capabilities for limited nuclear war: What we know and how we know it. Interim report

Technical Report · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5616939

Warner, E L

This note analyzes the evolution of Soviet concepts of and capabilities for limited nuclear war, Western assessments of these concepts and capabilities, and the basis on which the assessments were made. It covers the period from 1954, when the Soviets first began to adapt their military strategy to the nuclear age, to the present. Soviet doctrinal commentary indicates an interest in limiting nuclear use for various military and political reasons; yet the Soviets reject the idea that nuclear war could be fought in a highly limited manner. In addition, their operational doctrine retains a strong preemptive predisposition, particularly with regard to war in Europe, where they are determined to be the first to use nuclear weapons with a potentially decisive military effect. However, given their nuclear strike capabilities and command-and-control arrangements that provide tight control over initial nuclear release, the Soviets could employ their nuclear attack forces with a wide range of self-imposed constraints.

• Research Organization: RAND Corp., Santa Monica, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5616939
• Report Number(s): AD-A-208308/7/XAB; RAND-N--2769-AF
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450202 -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
ASIA
ATTITUDES
DOCUMENT TYPES
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
EVALUATION
MILITARY STRATEGY
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PROGRESS REPORT
USSR
WARFARE
WEAPONS