At the end of 1980 we had 14,404 strategic nuclear warheads and the Soviets had 7,862.
We also had more accurate ballistic missiles and a balanced triad of forces.
We had the advantage and we would retaliate if the Soviets attacked us.
“At the end of 1980 we had 14,404 strategic nuclear warheads and the Soviets had 7,862.”
I guess we can all make up numbers, if it makes us feel better and live with less fear.
http://www.thebulletin.org/content/doomsday-clock/overview
“...we would retaliate if the Soviets attacked us.”
Sure, if they flattened us, we’d hit back as much as we could. Back then they had some SERIOUS civil defense, so they’d probably survive it somewhat intact. We would have been toast.
But the bigger concern was their conventional advantage in Europe. Would we have risked WW3 and an all-out nuke exchange if the Soviets, had, say taken 50 sq. miles of West Germany? If I ran that country I would have done that, knowing that my economy was about to collapse - but lucky for us that I didn’t...
We go LUCKY AS HELL that those people didn’t feel like gambling with the future of humans. I prefer not to play Russian Roulette again, this time with the Chinese.
But if your numbers make you feel better, more power to you.