INTRODUCTION

Strong US conventional forces are essential to help deter military attacks, particularly against US allies and interests overseas. Events have demon rated that potential adversaries of the United States are willing to pursue their objectives with military force even in the face of US nuclear capabilities. Deployed conventional forces provide visible evidence of the US commitment to deter and, if necessary, counter military attacks against US interests at all levels of conflict. Should deterrence fail, conventional forces would be employed to respond rapidly to enemy attacks, limit the scope of conflicts, and terminate hostilities on terms favorable to the United States and its allies. Modern, well-balanced, and mobile conventional forces increase the options available to the NCA during regional crises.

This chapter provides an overview of conventional forces, assesses selected regional military balances, highlights conventional force programs essential to implementation of US military strategy, and discusses considerations for employing and supporting the forces.

GLOBAL OVERVIEW

Soviet Posture

The Soviets maintain the world's largest active armed forces. Soviet forces deployed in Eastern Europe, together with other Warsaw Pact forces, constitute the principal conventional military threat to the Western allies. Major air, land, and naval forces also face Southwest Asia, China, and the Northwest Pacific (Map IV-1). In addition, the Soviets maintain a