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Military Stats: compare key data on Russia & United States

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chris.lockyer781

Author: chris.lockyer781

The news has been filled lately with the tensions between Russia and the rest of the world. With Russia positioning its troops in the Crimea section of Ukraine and threatening to invade Eastern Ukraine, many have begun to talk in cold war terms and speak of a renewed military conflict between the US and Russia. As tensions rise it is important to look at the current position vis-à-vis the two military powers to see how they compare.

According to the best military analysis, the United States and Russia rank #1 and #2 respectively in military power today. When comparing military power one must take several factors into account. Of significant importance is the population of both countries ready to fight. The US has a population of roughly 316 million with 120 million fit for military service and over 4 million reaching military age each year. Russia on the other hand has a population of only 145 million with only 46 million ready for military service and 1.3 million reaching military age each year. From a population standpoint, the US is a much better position.

From there, one must look at two things: 1) would a conflict involve most land forces or be fought primarily in the air and sea and 2) would the conflict be limited in nature or total war?

Russia and the United States have taken divergent paths to military might. The US dominates the air with far more bases, fighter jets and bombers than Russia but Russia is superior on the ground with more tanks, artillery and land vehicles. At sea, the countries are more evenly matched, but here the US has the edge with more destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers. It must also be mentioned that the US military spending also dwarfs that of Russia, 612 billion to just 77 billion. That means that in a conflict the US would be in a much better position to ramp up production for new or replacement weaponry.

Of course, all of the conventional military comparisons mean nothing if a conflict between the two powers fought a total war that led to a nuclear exchange. Although both countries have reduced the levels of their nuclear arsenals over the past two decades, both still have thousands of nuclear warheads. Use of nuclear weapons would negate any real or perceived strengths in other military areas, although some military strategists argue that with is population spread out over a greater distance and its population centers smaller and more dispersed, fewer Russian people would be affected by a nuclear war. They would however remain in a world dramatically altered.

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Definitions

  • Air force > Combat aircraft: Number of fighter aircrafts (fixed wing aircrafts with combat capability).
  • Army > Attack helicopters: Number of attack helicopter (includes helicopters that have some attacking capabilities).
  • Army > Main battle tanks: Number of main battle tanks.
  • Battle-related deaths > Number of people: Battle-related deaths (number of people). Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths.
  • Budget: Annual defense budget in billion USD.
  • Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index is comprised of 22 indicators in the three categories ongoing domestic or international conflicts; societal safety; and security and militarization. A low index value indicates a peaceful and safe country.
  • Military service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation.
  • Navy > Corvette warships: Number of corvettes.
  • Navy > Nuclear submarines: Number of nuclear submarines.
  • Navy > Submarines: Number of patrol boats (includes minesweepers).
  • Paramilitary personnel: Paramilitary.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Personnel > Per capita: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of sevice obligation.
  • WMD > Nuclear: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of nuclear weapons
  • War deaths: Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths."
  • Navy > Aircraft carriers: Number of aircraft carriers.
  • Arms trade > Arms exports, top countries: Compares the world's largest arms exporters, in millions of US Dollars. Data corresponds to the year 2010, and was compiled by SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), a think tank dedicated to the research of conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament in the world, with presence in Stockholm, Beijing and Washington DC.
  • Armed forces personnel: Total armed forces (2000)
  • Military expenditures: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  • Military branches: This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces).
  • Expenditures > Percent of GDP: Current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
  • Armed forces personnel > Total: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organisation, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces."
  • Personnel: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.
  • Navy > Frigates: Number of frigates.
  • Navy > Destroyers: Number of destroyers.
  • Nuclear weapons > Nuclear warheads: Total nuclear warheads.
  • Navy > Cruisers: Number of cruisers.
  • Branches: The names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or security forces
  • Air force > Bombers: Number of bomber combat aircrafts.
  • Battle-related deaths > Number of people per million: Battle-related deaths (number of people). Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Navy > Amphibious warfare ships: Number of amphibious warfare ships.
  • Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical weapons possession:

    Status of possession of chemical weapons of countries that either declared chemical weapon stockpiles, are suspected of secretly stockpiling them, or are running chemical weapons research programs.

  • Arms trade > Arms exports, top countries per million people: Compares the world's largest arms exporters, in millions of US Dollars. Data corresponds to the year 2010, and was compiled by SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), a think tank dedicated to the research of conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament in the world, with presence in Stockholm, Beijing and Washington DC. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Air force > Fighters: Number of fighter combat aircrafts.
  • Military expenditure > Current LCU: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilisation, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)"
  • Highest military decorations > Name: Name of each country’s highest military decoration.
  • Air force > Aircraft carriers > Total: Total amount of aircraft carriers possessed by each country. 
  • Navy > Helicopter carriers: Amount of helicopter carriers currently in service.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Air force > Aircraft carriers > Commissioned:

    Amount of aircraft carriers in full service in each country. These numbers can also be interpreted as the amount of each country's commissioned aircraft carriers.   

  • Armed forces personnel per 1000: Total armed forces (2000). Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Personnel per 1000: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditure > Current LCU: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical Weapons Convention ratification: Date of ratification of the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC) of countries who either declared chemical weapon stockpiles, are suspected of secretly stockpiling them, or are running chemical weapons research programs.
  • Nuclear weapons > Non-Proliferation treaty sign date: Signed.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Conscription: A description of the status of conscription in the nation in 1997.
  • Armed forces growth: Growth in the number of armed forces personnel from 1985 (index = 100) to 2000. 100 means no growth, 50 means it halved and 200 means it doubled.
  • Imports > USD: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services."
  • Defence spending > Percent of GDP: Defense expenditure as percentage of GDP. Figures are for the year 2010.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.
  • Air force > Aircraft carriers > In reserve: Total amount of reserve aircraft carriers in each country.
  • Forces in Europe > Artillery: Conventional armed forces in Europe. SIPRI Yearbooks 1991-2003. Conventional arms control. Last update: July 2005
  • WMD > Biological: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of biological weapons of mass destruction
  • Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical weapons destruction deadline: Date by which certain member states of the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC) have contractually agreed to destroy their declared stockpile of chemical weapons.
  • Weapons of mass destruction > Declared chemical weapons stockpile: Declared stockpile of chemical weapons.
  • Military expenditures > Percent of GDP: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  • Conventional arms > Exports: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Exports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre).
  • WMD > Overview: An overview of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of weapons of mass destruction
  • WMD > Chemical: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of chemical weapons of mass destruction
  • Military spending > 2009 > USD billions: Defense expenditure of some countries in the year 2010.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.
  • Forces in Europe > Battle Tanks: Conventional armed forces in Europe. SIPRI Yearbooks 1991-2003. Conventional arms control. Last update: July 2006
  • Manpower fit for military service > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
  • Exports > USD: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services."
  • Conventional arms > Exports per capita: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Exports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Forces in Europe > Aircraft: Conventional armed forces in Europe. SIPRI Yearbooks 1991-2003. Conventional arms control. Last update: July 2004
  • Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Forces in Europe > Helicopters: Conventional armed forces in Europe. SIPRI Yearbooks 1991-2003. Conventional arms control. Last update: July 2007
  • Manpower > Military age: The minimum age at which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject to conscription.
  • Conventional arms > Exports > Per $ GDP: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Exports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1,000 $ gross domestic product.
  • Forces in Europe > Helicopters per million: Conventional armed forces in Europe. SIPRI Yearbooks 1991-2003. Conventional arms control. Last update: July 2007. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Forces in Europe > ACVs: Conventional armed forces in Europe (ACVs = Armoured Combat Vehicles).
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Forces in Europe > Artillery per million: Conventional armed forces in Europe. SIPRI Yearbooks 1991-2003. Conventional arms control. Last update: July 2005. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Manpower fit for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower fit for military service > Females age 18-49: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
  • Exports to developing nations: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99. Major suppliers listed only. In the same period, the total figure for all other European suppliers was $18,043 million (US); the total for all other nations was $8,211 million (US). This makes the overall total $214,576 million (US)
  • Employment in arms > Production per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Females age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Allies of World War I > Personnel and casualties > Wounded in action per 1000: Troops of allied powers wounded in action in World War I. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Forces in Europe > Battle Tanks per million: Conventional armed forces in Europe. SIPRI Yearbooks 1991-2003. Conventional arms control. Last update: July 2006. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Exports to developing nations > Per $ GDP: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99. Major suppliers listed only. In the same period, the total figure for all other European suppliers was $18,043 million (US); the total for all other nations was $8,211 million (US). This makes the overall total $214,576 million (US) Per $ GDP figures expressed per $1 million of Gross Domestic Product.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 per 1000: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Females age 18-49: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Manpower available for military service > Females age 18-49: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Allies of World War I > Personnel and casualties > Wounded in action: Troops of allied powers wounded in action in World War I.
  • Forces in Europe > ACVs per million: Conventional armed forces in Europe (ACVs = Armoured Combat Vehicles). Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Exports to developing nations per million: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99. Major suppliers listed only. In the same period, the total figure for all other European suppliers was $18,043 million (US); the total for all other nations was $8,211 million (US). This makes the overall total $214,576 million (US). Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Military expenditure > % of GDP: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilisation, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)"
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Expenditure > % of central government expenditure: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Exports to developing nations, % of GDP: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99. Major suppliers listed only. In the same period, the total figure for all other European suppliers was $18,043 million (US); the total for all other nations was $8,211 million (US). This makes the overall total $214,576 million (US). Figures expressed as a proportion of GDP for the same year
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Personnel > % of total labor force: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Conscription status: Whether countries prescribe mandatory military services as of 1997.
  • Conventional arms > Exports, % of GDP: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Exports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Figures expressed as a proportion of GDP for the same year
  • Expenditure > % of GDP: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males per 1000: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Armed forces personnel > % of total labor force: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organisation, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organisation's definition of the economically active population."
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita: Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower fit for military service > Females age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Forces in Europe > Aircraft per million: Conventional armed forces in Europe. SIPRI Yearbooks 1991-2003. Conventional arms control. Last update: July 2004. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Manpower available for military service > Females age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
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STAT Russia United States HISTORY
Air force > Combat aircraft 1,900
Ranked 1st. 		3,318
Ranked 1st. 75% more than Russia
Army > Attack helicopters 1,655
Ranked 1st. 		6,417
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Russia
Army > Main battle tanks 22,710
Ranked 1st. 3 times more than United States 		8,725
Ranked 1st.
Battle-related deaths > Number of people 359
Ranked 13th. 54% more than United States 		233
Ranked 18th.
Budget 93.76 US$ BN
Ranked 1st. 		682 US$ BN
Ranked 1st. 7 times more than Russia
Global Peace Index 3.06
Ranked 8th. 44% more than United States 		2.13
Ranked 4th.
Military service age and obligation 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; service obligation is 1 year (conscripts can only be sent to combat zones after 6 months of training); reserve obligation to age 50; enrollment in military schools from the age of 16, cadets classified as members of the armed forces 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; no conscription; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines); DoD is eliminating prohibitions restricting women from assignments in units smaller than brigades or near combat units
Navy > Corvette warships 70
Ranked 1st. 35 times more than United States 		2
Ranked 8th.
Navy > Nuclear submarines 33
Ranked 1st. 		71
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Russia
Navy > Submarines 17
Ranked 1st. 9 times more than United States 		2
Ranked 8th.
Paramilitary personnel 449,000
Ranked 1st. 41 times more than United States 		11,035
Ranked 1st.
Personnel > Per capita 10.15 per 1,000 people
Ranked 28th. 95% more than United States 		5.22 per 1,000 people
Ranked 70th.
Service age and obligation 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; service obligation - 1 year; reserve obligation to age 50; as of July 2008, a draft military strategy called for the draft to continue up to the year 2030 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines)
WMD > Nuclear The Soviet nuclear weapon program began during World War II and culminated in a successful atomic bomb test in 1949. Russia, as the successor of the Soviet Union, is a nuclear weapon state party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). According to estimates by the Natural Resources Defense Council, by 1991, the Soviet Union had approximately 35,000 weapons in its stockpile, down from a peak in 1986 of approximately 45,000. Russia is estimated to now have around 20,000 nuclear weapons, although total stockpile size is uncertain because there is no accurate count of tactical nuclear weapons. However, in 2002 Russia declared it will eliminate its tactical nuclear weapons by the end of 2004. Under the START I Treaty, the Russian nuclear arsenal has been reduced to approximately 7,000 strategic warheads. The START II Treaty, which was declared non-binding in June 2002, would have reduced this number to between 3,000 and 3,500 strategic nuclear warheads. The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (Treaty of Moscow) requires Russia to reduce the number of deployed strategic warheads to between 1,700 and 2,200 by the end of 2012. Russia inherited a massive nuclear weapons production complex and large stocks of weapons grade fissile material. It is estimated that Russia has between 735 and 1,365 metric tons (t) of weapons grade-equivalent highly enriched uranium (HEU) and between 106 and 156 t of military-use plutonium. As one of the five recognized nuclear weapons states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the United States maintains a sizeable arsenal of nuclear weapons, including approximately 10,350 intact warheads, 5300 of which are considered active or operational. Approximately 4,530 strategic warheads are operational, 1,150 of which are deployed on land-based missile systems (Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBMs), 1,050 on bombers (B-52 and B-2), and 2,016 on submarines (Ohio-class subs). 780 are tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs), and consist of an estimated 200 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles (TLAM/N), and 580 B61 bombs. The remaining warheads are stockpiled. The only remaining U.S. weapons in forward deployment, aside from those on SSBNs, are approximately 480 of the 580 operational B61 bombs, located at eight bases in six European NATO countries. According to the May 2002 Treaty of Moscow (the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, or SORT) between the United States and the Russian Federation, both countries are required to reduce their strategic nuclear arsenals to 1,700-2,200 operationally deployed warheads by 2012. In June 2004, the US Department of Energy announced that "almost half" of these warheads would be retired for dismantlement by 2012. This statement suggests that the total stockpile of 10,350 warheards would be reduced to about 6,000 by this date. Over 5,000 warheads have been removed from deployment by the United States and placed in a "responsive reserve force" (active but not deployed or in overhaul). These "spares," or warheads on inactive status, have not been dismantled, in keeping with past practice under previous U.S. arms control agreements. The Bush administration has rejected U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, but calls for a continued moratorium on nuclear testing. The NPR calls for a reduction in the amount of time needed (now 18 months as mandated by Congress, but this could be reduced to as little as 12 months) to test a nuclear weapon, suggesting that the United States might decide to resume nuclear testing, although Bush administration officials deny that this is currently planned and explain the shortening of test-site readiness time as a logical extension of the U.S. decision to maintain a testing option. The NPR also calls for discussion on possible development of new, low-yield, bunker-busting TNW. A law barring research and development that could lead to the production by the United States of a new low-yield "bunker buster" nuclear weapon (warheads with a yield of 5 kilotons or less) was passed by Congress in 1994. In its FY2004 budget request, however, the Department of Defense requested a repeal of the 1994 law, suggesting that the U.S. government intends to proceed with development of new nuclear weapons. The repeal was approved by the Senate on 20 May 2003. The Bush administration has requested an additional $8.5 million in its 2006 budget in order to continue research of nuclear "bunker busters" under the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP) Project. Congress rejected RNEP funding and resources for the Advanced Concepts Initiative, one that would develop mini-nukes or exotic designs, completely for FY2005. Weapons laboratories under the Department of Energy began research on the RNEP Project in 2003, and the study is expected to be complete in 2006. The United States used nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, making it the only country that has ever used nuclear weapons during a conflict. It ratified the NPT in March 1970.
War deaths 339
Ranked 17th. 		0.0
Ranked 73th.
Navy > Aircraft carriers 1
Ranked 1st. 		10
Ranked 1st. 10 times more than Russia
Arms trade > Arms exports, top countries 8,003
Ranked 2nd. 		8,760
Ranked 1st. 9% more than Russia
Armed forces personnel 1.52 million
Ranked 2nd. 11% more than United States 		1.37 million
Ranked 3rd.
Military expenditures 3.9% of GDP
Ranked 6th. 		4.6% of GDP
Ranked 1st. 18% more than Russia
Military branches Ground Forces (Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, SV), Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF), Air Forces (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily, VVS); Airborne Troops (Vozdushno-Desantnyye Voyska, VDV), Strategic Rocket Forces (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN), and Aerospace Defense Troops (Voyska Vozdushno-Kosmicheskoy Oborony or Voyska VKO) are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches; Russian Ground Forces include the following combat arms: motorized-rifle troops, tank troops, missile and artillery troops, air defense of the ground troops United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard
Expenditures > Percent of GDP 3.9%
Ranked 24th. 		4.06%
Ranked 22nd. 4% more than Russia
Manpower fit for military service > Males age 16-49 None None
Armed forces personnel > Total 1.48 million
Ranked 5th. 		1.54 million
Ranked 4th. 4% more than Russia
Personnel 1.45 million
Ranked 4th. 		1.55 million
Ranked 3rd. 6% more than Russia
Navy > Frigates 5
Ranked 1st. 		26
Ranked 3rd. 5 times more than Russia
Navy > Destroyers 14
Ranked 1st. 		62
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Russia
Nuclear weapons > Nuclear warheads 8,500
Ranked 1st. 10% more than United States 		7,700
Ranked 2nd.
Navy > Cruisers 5
Ranked 1st. 		22
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Russia
Branches Ground Forces (SV), Navy (VMF), Air Forces (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily, VVS); Airborne Troops (VDV), Strategic Rocket Troops (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN), and Space Troops (KV) are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches; Russian Ground Forces include the following combat arms: motorized-rifle troops, tank troops, missile and artillery troops, air defense of ground troops US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard; note - Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy
Air force > Bombers 195
Ranked 1st. 14% more than United States 		171
Ranked 2nd.
Battle-related deaths > Number of people per million 2.51
Ranked 20th. 3 times more than United States 		0.818
Ranked 27th.
Navy > Amphibious warfare ships 15
Ranked 1st. 		30
Ranked 1st. Twice as much as Russia
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical weapons possession Known Known
Arms trade > Arms exports, top countries per million people 55.76
Ranked 2nd. Twice as much as United States 		27.91
Ranked 5th.
Air force > Fighters 1,264
Ranked 2nd. 		3,043
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Russia
Military expenditure > Current LCU 1.69 trillion
Ranked 10th. 3 times more than United States 		661.05 billion
Ranked 13th.
Highest military decorations > Name The Gold Star The Medal of Honor
Air force > Aircraft carriers > Total 7
Ranked 5th. 		68
Ranked 1st. 10 times more than Russia
Navy > Helicopter carriers 0.0
Ranked 8th. 		9
Ranked 1st.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males 693,843
Ranked 17th. 		2.16 million
Ranked 5th. 3 times more than Russia
Air force > Aircraft carriers > Commissioned 1
Ranked 10th. 		19
Ranked 1st. 19 times more than Russia
Armed forces personnel per 1000 10.39
Ranked 21st. 2 times more than United States 		4.84
Ranked 57th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males 821,103
Ranked 14th. 		2.19 million
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Russia
Manpower available for military service > Males age 16-49 None None
Personnel per 1000 10.14
Ranked 28th. 94% more than United States 		5.23
Ranked 70th.
Expenditure > Current LCU 808806000000 507089000000
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical Weapons Convention ratification November 5, 1997 April 25, 1997
Nuclear weapons > Non-Proliferation treaty sign date 1 Jul 1968 (L, M, W) 1 Jul 1968 (L, M, W)
Conscription <a href=/graph-T/mil_con>Conscription</a> exists (<a href=/encyclopedia/artificial-intelligence>AI</a>). No <a href=/graph-T/mil_con>conscription</a>.
Armed forces growth -71%
Ranked 126th. 92% more than United States 		-37%
Ranked 107th.
Imports > USD 100 million
Ranked 40th. 		904 million
Ranked 7th. 9 times more than Russia
Defence spending > Percent of GDP 3.5%
Ranked 3rd. 		4.3%
Ranked 2nd. 23% more than Russia
Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ 40 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 50th. 		387 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 19th. 10 times more than Russia
Air force > Aircraft carriers > In reserve 0.0
Ranked 13th. 		1
Ranked 1st.
Forces in Europe > Artillery 5,856
Ranked 1st. 19 times more than United States 		312
Ranked 19th.
WMD > Biological The Soviet Union ratified the BWC in 1975. Nevertheless, the Soviet Union violated the treaty by secretly operating a massive offensive BW program until it dissolved in 1991. The Soviet BW arsenal included the causative agents of anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, glanders, and hemorrhagic fever. In wartime, formulated agents would have been loaded into a variety of delivery systems, including aerial bombs and ballistic missile warheads. Soviet BW scientists also researched, developed, and produced anti-crop and anti-livestock agents. Although the U.S. government believes that the BW agent stockpiles have been destroyed, activities that contravene the BWC may continue at a few military biological facilities in Russia. The Soviet Union also established a so-called anti-plague system, whose primary objective was to control endemic diseases and prevent the importation of exotic pathogens that could threaten crops, animals, and humans. In the late 1960s, however, the system also was tasked with defending the USSR against biological attacks. The anti-plague system continues in today’s Russia. There are reports that some countries, including Iran, have attempted to hire Russian BW specialists to help them acquire biological weapons. The U.S. offensive biological warfare (BW) program was launched in 1943 and terminated in 1969, by executive order. During this period, the U.S. weaponized a variety of pathogens and toxins for use against humans and plants. The anti-human agents it developed for weapons purposes were Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Francisella tularensis (tularemia), Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and staphylococcal enterotoxin B. The anti-plant agents were the fungi that cause wheat rust and rice blast. In addition, U.S. military scientists conducted research on pathogens that cause smallpox, glanders, and plague, as well as several toxins, such as botulinum toxin, saxitoxin, and ricin. The entire U.S. BW stockpile was destroyed in 1969 and 1970; since that time, it has not had an offensive BW program. The U.S. ratified the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BWC) in March 1975 and had an important role in the process of developing confidence-building measures (CBMs) during several BWC review conferences. However, in 2001, the Bush administration rejected an effort by other signatories to conclude a protocol that would provide verification measures. Since then, the remaining parties to the BWC have conducted semiannual meetings to discuss, among other things, national measures for the implementation of biosecurity regulations and penal legislation, leading up to the Sixth Review Conference in 2006.[2] In addition, the United States has conducted an active biodefense program for many years in accordance with BWC provisions that permit the use of agents of types and in quantities appropriate for prophylactic, protective, or other peaceful purposes. These activities are reported each year to Congress and in an annual information exchange on biodefense activities under the BWC. A 4 September 2001 New York Times article identified previously undisclosed U.S. government biodefense projects involving a model of a germ bomb, a factory to make biological agents, and the development of more potent anthrax. The United States denied allegations that this research was anything other than defensive in nature and asserted that it did not violate any BWC provisions or CBMs. On 28 April 2004, President Bush outlined the administration's perspective on biological weapons by issuing National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD-33) called "Biodefense for the 21st Century", an initiative to strengthen the country's biodefense capabilities through programs in threat awareness, prevention and protection, surveillance and detection, and response and recovery. The Bush administration also faces criticism that financial resources have been redirected from non-biodefense research in order to fund additional biodefense research.
Expenditures 3.9% of GDP
Ranked 12th. 		4.06% of GDP
Ranked 10th. 4% more than Russia
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical weapons destruction deadline 29 April 2012 (pledged by 2015-20) 29 April 2012 (intends by 2023)
Weapons of mass destruction > Declared chemical weapons stockpile 40,000 tonnes
Ranked 1st. 27% more than United States 		31,500 tonnes
Ranked 2nd.
Military expenditures > Percent of GDP 3.9% of GDP
Ranked 11th. 		4.06% of GDP
Ranked 10th. 4% more than Russia
Conventional arms > Exports $6.20 billion
Ranked 1st. 14% more than United States 		$5.45 billion
Ranked 2nd.
WMD > Overview The collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991 left the Russian Federation with the bulk of the massive Soviet weapons of mass destruction complex. This legacy has allowed Russia to retain its great power status even as its economy has collapsed, but the burden of supporting this oversized complex has strained the Russian political and economic system. Russia's nuclear and missile capabilities presupposes its crucial role in arms control and nonproliferation, while the remnants of chemical and biological weapons programs pose major environmental and proliferation threats. The United States possesses a substantial nuclear weapons arsenal and associated delivery systems. The 2001 Nuclear Posture Review suggests that the United States may seek to develop, and possibly test, new types of nuclear weapons in the future. The United States destroyed its biological weapons by 1970 and is in the process of destroying its stockpile of chemical weapons. Some critics allege that elements of U.S. government biodefense research are in violation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC).
WMD > Chemical During the Cold War, and afterwards, the Soviet Union had the world's largest arsenal of chemical weapons, including artillery shells, bombs, and missiles that contained choking agents (phosgene), nerve agents (sarin, soman, and VX), and blister agents (mustard, lewisite, and mustard-lewisite mixture). There have been allegations that the Soviet Union developed a new class of nerve agent (Novichok), estimated to be 5-10 times more toxic than VX. Russia inherited the declared Soviet stockpile of 40,000 metric tons of CW munitions and agents stored in bulk. In November 1997, Russia ratified the CWC, but financial and other difficulties have impeded the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile, so it is far behind the timetable specified in the treaty. The U.S. chemical warfare (CW) program began with the establishment of the Chemical Warfare Service in June 1918. During World War I, the United States manufactured, stockpiled, and used chemical weapons. Chemical weapons development and production continued during and after World War II, but the production of unitary chemical munitions was terminated in 1969. During the Reagan administration, the production of binary chemical weapons was restarted, but was discontinued in 1990. Since then, the United States no longer has an active CW program. The United States ratified the Geneva Protocol in 1975, with the reservation that the treaty not apply to defoliants and riot control agents such as were used in Vietnam and Laos during the Vietnam War. Currently, the United States has what is believed to be the world's second largest stockpile of chemical weapons, including bombs, rockets, and artillery shells that are loaded with lewisite, mustard, sarin, soman, VX, or binary nerve agents. Under terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which the United States ratified in April 1997, the United States has committed to destroying all chemical stockpiles by April 2004. However in September 2003, the Pentagon announced that it would be unable to meet this deadline and would ask for an extension at the Fall 2003 CWC meeting. As of 28 December 2004, the Chemical Materials Agency of the U.S. Army announced that only 33.34% of the nation's stored chemical agent, including 70% of the remaining mustard agent stockpile, and 42% of the nation's chemical weapons munitions had been destroyed. Former chemical production facilities and recovered chemical warfare materials are also being destroyed under the U.S. Army Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Program (NSCMP). The NSCMP also destroyed 80% of the nation's original chemical weapons production facilities in 2003, 16 months ahead of schedule, and will meet the final deadline of 100% destruction by April 2007.
Military spending > 2009 > USD billions 53.3 661
Manpower fit for military service > Females age 16-49 26381518 None
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ 5.77 billion constant 1990 US$
Ranked 2nd. 		7.1 billion constant 1990 US$
Ranked 1st. 23% more than Russia
Forces in Europe > Battle Tanks 4,982
Ranked 1st. 7 times more than United States 		684
Ranked 13th.
Employment in arms > Production 835,000
Ranked 3rd. 		2.32 million
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Russia
Manpower fit for military service > Males age 18-49 21.05 million
Ranked 6th. 		54.61 million
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Russia
Exports > USD 5.95 billion
Ranked 2nd. 		6.16 billion
Ranked 1st. 3% more than Russia
Conventional arms > Exports per capita $41.79
Ranked 2nd. 91% more than United States 		$21.84
Ranked 9th.
Forces in Europe > Aircraft 2,358
Ranked 1st. 10 times more than United States 		235
Ranked 9th.
Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49 35.25 million
Ranked 4th. 		67.74 million
Ranked 2nd. 92% more than Russia
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people 4.83
Ranked 214th. 		6.89
Ranked 163th. 42% more than Russia
Forces in Europe > Helicopters 445
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than United States 		115
Ranked 6th.
Manpower > Availability > Males 36.22 million
Ranked 8th. 		72.72 million
Ranked 3rd. Twice as much as Russia
Manpower > Military age 18 years of age 18 years of age
Conventional arms > Exports > Per $ GDP 4.4 per $1,000
Ranked 1st. 9 times more than United States 		0.464 per $1,000
Ranked 15th.
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty > Signatures and Ratifications > Signature 24 SEP 1996 24 SEP 1996
Forces in Europe > Helicopters per million 3.13
Ranked 9th. 8 times more than United States 		0.382
Ranked 22nd.
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 1.29 million
Ranked 8th. 		2.14 million
Ranked 4th. 67% more than Russia
Forces in Europe > ACVs 9,292
Ranked 1st. 7 times more than United States 		1,397
Ranked 12th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males 693,843
Ranked 17th. 		2.16 million
Ranked 5th. 3 times more than Russia
Forces in Europe > Artillery per million 40.91
Ranked 13th. 39 times more than United States 		1.06
Ranked 25th.
Manpower available for military service > Females age 16-49 34985115 None
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita 40,324.61 constant 1990 US$ per 1
Ranked 3rd. 68% more than United States 		23,956.65 constant 1990 US$ per 1
Ranked 5th.
Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita 0.27 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 84th. 		1.31 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 56th. 5 times more than Russia
Manpower fit for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000 148.13
Ranked 104th. 		181.29
Ranked 50th. 22% more than Russia
Manpower fit for military service > Females age 18-49 29.06 million
Ranked 4th. 		54.7 million
Ranked 2nd. 88% more than Russia
Exports to developing nations $19,940.00 million
Ranked 4th. 		$90,929.00 million
Ranked 1st. 5 times more than Russia
Military expenditures > Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Figures > Date of information 2005 est. 2005
Employment in arms > Production per 1000 5.72
Ranked 4th. 		8.14
Ranked 2nd. 42% more than Russia
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males 21.49 million
Ranked 10th. 		59.41 million
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Russia
Manpower > Availability > Females 37.02 million
Ranked 7th. 		71.64 million
Ranked 3rd. 94% more than Russia
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 36 million
Ranked 8th. 		73.6 million
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Russia
Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita 0.27 constant 1990 US$ per c
Ranked 85th. 		1.31 constant 1990 US$ per c
Ranked 57th. 5 times more than Russia
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Females age 18-49 per 1000 8.76
Ranked 53th. 30% more than United States 		6.76
Ranked 70th.
Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000 248.04
Ranked 34th. 10% more than United States 		224.89
Ranked 74th.
Allies of World War I > Personnel and casualties > Wounded in action per 1000 34.74
Ranked 2nd. 50 times more than United States 		0.689
Ranked 11th.
Forces in Europe > Battle Tanks per million 34.96
Ranked 12th. 15 times more than United States 		2.29
Ranked 24th.
Exports to developing nations > Per $ GDP $0.01 million per $1 million
Ranked 2nd. 83% more than United States 		$0.01 million per $1 million
Ranked 4th.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females 660,359
Ranked 17th. 		2.06 million
Ranked 5th. 3 times more than Russia
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people 4.64
Ranked 214th. 		6.65
Ranked 159th. 43% more than Russia
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females 28.76 million
Ranked 7th. 		59.19 million
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Russia
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 per 1000 251.48
Ranked 77th. 1% more than United States 		249.05
Ranked 85th.
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Females age 18-49 1.24 million
Ranked 5th. 		2.04 million
Ranked 3rd. 64% more than Russia
Manpower available for military service > Females age 18-49 35.99 million
Ranked 4th. 		67.07 million
Ranked 2nd. 86% more than Russia
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 per 1000 9.05
Ranked 79th. 27% more than United States 		7.12
Ranked 107th.
Allies of World War I > Personnel and casualties > Wounded in action 4.95 million
Ranked 1st. 24 times more than United States 		205,690
Ranked 4th.
Forces in Europe > ACVs per million 64.26
Ranked 9th. 13 times more than United States 		4.82
Ranked 25th.
Exports to developing nations per million $134.11 million
Ranked 4th. 		$354.48 million
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Russia
Military expenditure > % of GDP 4.33%
Ranked 9th. 		4.64%
Ranked 8th. 7% more than Russia
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita 40.31 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 3rd. 68% more than United States 		24.03 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 5th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females per 1000 5.51
Ranked 188th. 		6.84
Ranked 151st. 24% more than Russia
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people 4.87
Ranked 216th. 		6.83
Ranked 165th. 40% more than Russia
Expenditure > % of central government expenditure 18.76%
Ranked 8th. 		19.26%
Ranked 7th. 3% more than Russia
Exports to developing nations, % of GDP 4.33e-06%
Ranked 1st. 3 times more than United States 		1.45e-06%
Ranked 5th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females 781,570
Ranked 14th. 		2.08 million
Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Russia
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males per 1000 151.38
Ranked 153th. 		195.38
Ranked 85th. 29% more than Russia
Personnel > % of total labor force 1.98%
Ranked 35th. Twice as much as United States 		0.99%
Ranked 83th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Male 693843 2161727
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Female 660359 2055685
Manpower > Availability > Males per 1000 255.16
Ranked 81st. 7% more than United States 		239.12
Ranked 119th.
Manpower > Availability > Females per 1000 260.8
Ranked 49th. 11% more than United States 		235.58
Ranked 92nd.
Conscription status Yes No(The United States abandoned the draft in 1973 under President Richard Nixon, ended the Selective Service registration requirement in 1975 under President Gerald Ford, and then re-instated the Selective Service registration requirement in 1980 under President Jimmy Carter. Today the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System">U.S. Selective Service System</a> remains as a contingency, should a military draft be re-introduced. For more information see the website.) Registration remains required.
Conventional arms > Exports, % of GDP 1.2%
Ranked 3rd. 13 times more than United States 		0.0948%
Ranked 14th.
Expenditure > % of GDP 3.74%
Ranked 13th. 		4.08%
Ranked 11th. 9% more than Russia
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males per 1000 5.78
Ranked 187th. 		7.19
Ranked 148th. 24% more than Russia
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females per 1000 202.61
Ranked 66th. 4% more than United States 		194.63
Ranked 73th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females 660,359
Ranked 17th. 		2.06 million
Ranked 5th. 3 times more than Russia
Armed forces personnel > % of total labor force 1.94%
Ranked 28th. Twice as much as United States 		0.97%
Ranked 71st.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people 4.64
Ranked 212th. 		6.65
Ranked 158th. 43% more than Russia
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita 5.55 per 1,000 people
Ranked 205th. 		6.84 per 1,000 people
Ranked 168th. 23% more than Russia
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita 0.272 per capita
Ranked 55th. 8% more than United States 		0.251 per capita
Ranked 103th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita 5.84 per 1,000 people
Ranked 208th. 		7.2 per 1,000 people
Ranked 165th. 23% more than Russia
Manpower fit for military service > Females age 18-49 per 1000 204.48
Ranked 20th. 13% more than United States 		181.58
Ranked 48th.
Forces in Europe > Aircraft per million 16.39
Ranked 5th. 20 times more than United States 		0.803
Ranked 24th.
Manpower available for military service > Females age 18-49 per 1000 253.25
Ranked 15th. 14% more than United States 		222.65
Ranked 51st.

SOURCES: Wikipedia: List of countries by level of military equipment (List); Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/UCDP/.; http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/indexes/global-peace-index, Global Rankings. Vision of Humanity.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel (The list); World Development Indicators database; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; The Nuclear Threat Initiative; Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/ucdp/.; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry#World.27s_largest_arms_exporters

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute; IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/nuclearweapons/nukestatus.html, April 2014; Wikipedia: List of countries by level of military equipment (Combat aircraft by country); Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/UCDP/. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Chemical warfare (Efforts to eradicate chemical weapons); http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry#World.27s_largest_arms_exporters

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Yearbook: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security.; Wikipedia: List of highest military decorations; Wikipedia: List of aircraft carriers by country (Number of aircraft carriers by operating nation); Wikipedia: Helicopter carrier (Helicopter carriers by country); Wikipedia: List of aircraft carriers in service (List of countries by aircraft carriers); IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; World Development Indicators database. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Chemical weapon proliferation; Wikipedia: List of parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (Ratified or acceded states); Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland, 1997. Data collected from the nations concerned, unless otherwise indicated. Acronyms: Amnesty International (AI); European Council of Conscripts Organizations (ECCO); Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC); International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHFHR); National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO); Service, Peace and Justice in Latin America (SERPAJ); War Resisters International (WRI); World Council of Churches (WCC); calculated on the basis of data on armed forces from IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: The SIPRI Military Expenditure Database; Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE): A Review and Update of Key Treaty Elements (US Department of State: Washington, DC, Jan. 2002). Joint Consultative Group (JCG), Group on Treaty Operation and Implementation, JCG document JCG.TOI/22/03, 23 June 2003; Wikipedia: Chemical Weapons Convention (Progress of destruction); SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm.; Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC); CIA World Factbook, 14 June, 2007; SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE): A Review and Update of Key Treaty Elements (US Department of State: Washington, DC, Jan. 2002). Joint Consultative Group (JCG), Group on Treaty Operation and Implementation, JCG document JCG.TOI/22/03, 23 June 2003. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 14 June, 2007. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Richard F. Grimmett, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1992-1999" (Washington: Congressional Research Service, August 18, 2000), p. 51; Wikipedia: List of countries by military expenditures; Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005; 1. The War Office (2006) [1922]. Statistics of the military effort of the British Empire during the Great War 1914—1920. Uckfield, East Sussex: Military and Naval Press; 2. Gilbert Martin (1994). Atlas of World War I. Oxford University Press; 3. Tucker Spencer C (1999). The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia. New York: Garland. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; 1. The War Office (2006) [1922]. Statistics of the military effort of the British Empire during the Great War 1914—1920. Uckfield, East Sussex: Military and Naval Press; 2. Gilbert Martin (1994). Atlas of World War I. Oxford University Press; 3. Tucker Spencer C (1999). The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia. New York: Garland.; Richard F. Grimmett, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1992-1999" (Washington: Congressional Research Service, August 18, 2000), p. 51. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Richard F. Grimmett, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1992-1999" (Washington: Congressional Research Service, August 18, 2000), p. 51. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.

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9

The news has been filled lately with the tensions between Russia and the rest of the world. With Russia positioning its troops in the Crimea section of Ukraine and threatening to invade Eastern Ukraine, many have begun to talk in cold war terms and speak of a renewed military conflict between the US and Russia. As tensions rise it is important to look at the current position vis-à-vis the two military powers to see how they compare.

According to the best military analysis, the United States and Russia rank #1 and #2 respectively in military power today. When comparing military power one must take several factors into account. Of significant importance is the population of both countries ready to fight. The US has a population of roughly 316 million with 120 million fit for military service and over 4 million reaching military age each year. Russia on the other hand has a population of only 145 million with only 46 million ready for military service and 1.3 million reaching military age each year. From a population standpoint, the US is a much better position.

From there, one must look at two things: 1) would a conflict involve most land forces or be fought primarily in the air and sea and 2) would the conflict be limited in nature or total war?

Russia and the United States have taken divergent paths to military might. The US dominates the air with far more bases, fighter jets and bombers than Russia but Russia is superior on the ground with more tanks, artillery and land vehicles. At sea, the countries are more evenly matched, but here the US has the edge with more destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers. It must also be mentioned that the US military spending also dwarfs that of Russia, 612 billion to just 77 billion. That means that in a conflict the US would be in a much better position to ramp up production for new or replacement weaponry.

Of course, all of the conventional military comparisons mean nothing if a conflict between the two powers fought a total war that led to a nuclear exchange. Although both countries have reduced the levels of their nuclear arsenals over the past two decades, both still have thousands of nuclear warheads. Use of nuclear weapons would negate any real or perceived strengths in other military areas, although some military strategists argue that with is population spread out over a greater distance and its population centers smaller and more dispersed, fewer Russian people would be affected by a nuclear war. They would however remain in a world dramatically altered.

Posted on 30 Mar 2014

chris.lockyer781

chris.lockyer781

396 Stat enthusiast

4

Russia and the US are old rivals. They became important allies during the Second World War, but the alliance became a very intense rivalry that threatened the very existence of every living being on the planet. Indeed, there were many occasions which could have led to a nuclear confrontation between the two powerful countries. Fortunately, both countries were well aware of the consequences of an all-out nuclear war.

Today, the rivalry is no less severe. While the two have not really engaged in a direct war, they have used proxy countries and participants to test each other’s capabilities. When the USSR disintegrated more than two decades ago, it was assumed that Russia would no longer pose a threat to the US as the former tried to adopt a more democratic form of government like that of developed Western countries. However, Vladimir Putin’s takeover of the Russia is negating that old assumption. While Russia is just a shadow of its former self, it cannot be denied that it still owns a very formidable arsenal, not counting its still numerous nuclear warheads. In fact, Russia is touted to be the second most powerful country in the world after the US.

There is no doubt that Russia is in constant upgrade and buildup of its armed forces. Technologically, new Russian weapons systems are thought to be on par with that of the US. Su-33s and Su-35s are, in fact, superior to US counterparts in terms of thrust-to-weight ratio. This means that, in a dogfight, Russian jets would easily eliminate US fighters. That is, of course, it would come to dogfights. US jets are so designed precisely to eliminate the need for dangerous dogfights. For instance, stealth technology, new radars, and missiles enable US jets to kill enemy aircrafts before a visual is even made.

Furthermore, the economic might of the US has allowed it to maintain a massive stockpile of navy, air force, and army materiel – so massive, in fact, that the power of the US armed forces is bigger than that of the next five armed forces combined. On the other hand, Russia’s economy was devastated when USSR broke apart. While it is steadily rebuilding its armed forces, there is little doubt that it is still far away from threatening the US military dominance.

Posted on 07 Apr 2014

Edsel.G

Edsel.G

247 Stat enthusiast

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