Another 12/01/20 one in Afghanistan killed more soldiers: NATO or the Soviet Union
Between the two Afghan war (1979-1989), which was part of the Soviet Union (2001-2014), where he attended the NATO forces often draw Parallels. There you can really find a lot in common, but there are differences.
Reason
Coming in April 1978 to power in Afghanistan, the Pro-Communist PDPA seriously destabilize the situation in the country, in connection with the Kabul government was forced to appeal for help to Moscow. After a lengthy debate, the resolution of the CPSU Central Committee on 12 December 1979 the decision was made to enter a limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan.
the US-Led Western coalition forces invaded Afghanistan on 7 October 2001 as part of operation enduring freedom. It was a response to a terrorist act committed by Islamists of 11 September 2001 in the United States.
But if the International security assistance force were in Afghanistan in line with UN security Council resolution (by the way, Russia also supported the NATO operation), the presence of the Soviet Union was sanctioned by the Afghan government. It should be noted that NATO’s military actions were unanimously supported by Western countries, while the Soviet invasion has approved only a few States of the socialist camp.
Preparation
Soviet troops in Afghanistan when the civil war there was in full swing. According to Colonel Oleg Kulikov, more than five years served as a military translator in Afghanistan, by the time the Soviet military leadership has gained enormous experience in Afghanistan.
the Commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, Stanley McChrystal on the contrary admitted that no one in the military leadership of NATO had no idea about the true state of Affairs in the country and did not know the history of the state. Not to repeat others make a mistakesubsequently to the Western coalition had to turn to the Soviet experience in the Afghan war.
Objective
the Soviet Union became involved in the Afghan internal conflict with the rather vague political goals. Not everyone knew against whom and for what they must fight in a foreign land. That is why the Kremlin has repeatedly denied Afghan authorities. Officially, the Soviet troops were supported by friendly mode Babrak Karmal, unofficially, his presence let US establish control over the region.
In the West in the actions of the Soviet Union saw a global goal to obtain long-term geopolitical benefits that would provide access to the warm seas and the oil resources of the Persian Gulf.
NATO, according to the statements of the leadership of the Alliance before the invasion of Afghanistan had two clear objectives. First, eliminate the sources of terrorist threats, including 98 of radical Islamic organizations and movements. Second, to provide assistance to government forces in counter-terrorist operations and enhance their training.
Power
the Alignment of forces facing the USSR and NATO in Afghanistan, differed significantly. If the Mujahideen of the 1980s had significant support from Pakistan, Iran, China, the United States and several Persian Gulf States, the Taliban of the 2000s, was effectively cut off from any outside help. In other words, the Soviet Union was opposed by a significant part of the Islamic East and of individual members of the capitalist West, NATO forces, in turn, fought only with disparate terrorist groups.
In ten years of war in Afghanistan as part of the contingent of Soviet troops service were about 100 thousand troops, Afghan forces were approximately 300 thousand soldiers. They were opposed by some estimates up to 400 thousand rebels.
as part of the International security assistance force in the period from 2001 to 2014 fought the representatives of more than 50 countries (from 132 to 457 thousand), Weddi 90 thousand Americans, 9 Britons 500, 350 5 Germans, 3 935 the French, as well as up to 300 thousand government soldiers. Islamic groups were approximately 140 thousand fighters.
of the Soviet Union in the Afghan war has lost more than 15 thousand soldiers and officers, government troops around 18 000. Among the rebels from 75 to 90 thousand dead.
NATO Forces in Afghanistan have lost 4 430 fighters, government troops and 13 thousand soldiers. The militants in battles with the Western coalition has lost about 35 thousand.
Equipment
a Remarkable moment with regard to the two wars in question. If the quality of the weapons the Taliban of the 2000s, in comparison with the Mujahideen of the 1980s have not changed, the degree of technical equipment of NATO forces compared to the Soviet group have skyrocketed. For example, the 40th army were unknown high-precision weapons and satellite guidance systems used by coalition forces. Also unlike troops of the North Atlantic Alliance, the Soviet army did not use warships.
Tactics
the Soviet Union by introducing in Afghanistan his group, especially preparing for the conduct of classic military operations, however, had to resort to the struggle against guerrilla forces in the mountains and towns. The Afghan conflict became a war of small units and more often than not meant the use of heavy machinery: it was virtually useless in terms of passes and gorges.
the Main burden in the Afghan war fell to the lot of Soviet paratroopers, one of them formed a group of commandos, whose mission was intelligence support columns and the interception of convoys of enemy supply.
the NATO Command had originally planned to avoid the use of ground troops, with an emphasis on air support antitaliban forces. The main role is performed strategic bombers B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer. Coordination of the air force and government troops were engaged in spetsnaz.
However, very soon, the coalition forces had to deal with what was unknown to Soviet troops – regular use of fighters-bombers. This tactic was to compensate for the Taliban to huge losses and to minimize the technical superiority of NATO. Suicide bombers with suicide belts or driving bombs car repeatedly found himself near a NATO military installations, state institutions of Afghanistan and international organizations.
Taras Repin
Source:
© Russian Seven
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