The military strength of the Russian military and the United States military impacts each country’s ability to defend itself and achieve its national security objectives. In this article, we will compare the military capabilities of Russia military vs. U.S. military, two major global powers with a history of strategic competition and cooperation. We also examine how the Russia-Ukraine war has affected Russia’s military.
The Military Capabilities of Russia Military vs. U.S. Military
Comparing the military strength of Russia and the United States is a complex task. However, it is possible to compare these countries’ military capabilities based on specific factors:
- Personnel: The United States has approximately 1,385,727 active-duty personnel and 849,450 reserves, whereas the Russian military has approximately 1,154,000 active-duty personnel and 2,000,000 reserves.
- Budget: According to estimates from Statista, in 2021, the United States had the largest military budget in the world, with military expenditures totaling $801 billion. Russia was ranked fifth in military spending, with $65.9 billion.
- Global Alliances: The U.S. has a network of global alliances and partnerships, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Russia has a more centralized system of military alliances, such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and military partnerships with China and India.
- Nuclear Weapons: Nuclear stockpiles in Russia and the U.S. account for approximately 90% of all nuclear warheads in the world. Russia has about 5,977 warheads, whereas the U.S. has about 5,428.
- Equipment: The U.S. has a more technologically advanced military and more aircraft carriers, strategic bombers, and fighter jets. Notable U.S. military hardware includes Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, F-35 Lightning II and M1 Abrams Tank. Russia, too, has formidable including T-14 Armata Tank, Sukhoi Su-35 and S-400 Triumf.
The Russian military and the U.S. military differ in several other respects, such as training programs, military doctrine, terrain and climate, all of which impact their efficacy.
The Russia-Ukraine War Has Caused Significant Losses in Russia’s Military
Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine has proven disastrous for Russia’s military, which has suffered significant personnel and equipment losses.
In November, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley put the number of dead and wounded Russian soldiers at 100,000, which may be a conservative estimate. In early August, A Pentagon official estimated Russian casualties to be 70,000-80,000. Reports suggest that combat has decimated newly-mobilized and ill-trained Russian soldiers.
The war has also resulted in massive equipment losses for the Russian military. According to the Oryx website, 8,000 pieces of equipment were damaged, destroyed, captured or abandoned. Among the equipment were 1,700 infantry fighting vehicles, 700 armored fighting vehicles and 1,500 tanks. These losses may be extremely understated, as Oryx counts only equipment for which a unique photo or video was provided as evidence of its condition. Others sources, such as U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Kyiv Independent, report higher numbers.
These losses have led Russia to replenish its losses with reserves (such as 50-year-old T-64 tanks), tanks from Belarus, North Korean artillery shells and attack drones from Iran. It will take Russia years to recoup these military losses, including the country’s military reputation.
Information and Resources on U.S. Military
We hope this article has improved your understanding of the relative military strength of Russia military and U.S. military, which is essential to assessing their potential for conflict and cooperation. Visit USMilitary for more information and resources on the U.S. military.