The Battlefield Threat: Soviet Concepts, Doctrine, and Strategy

This chapter examines the continuing trend in Soviet military literature, doctrine, training and equipment toward combat in a nuclear environment. Soviet writings since the early 1960’s have shown an unwavering commitment to a nuclear emphasis strategy. The predominant tenet of Soviet tactical doctrine is in achieving results through offensive action while exploiting the use of nuclear weapons. Soviet tactical doctrine emphasizes an offensive based upon surprise, speed, decisiveness, shock power, and the exploitation of nuclear weapons and operations in a nuclear environment. Chemical, biological and radiological training areas are becoming more sophisticated, improved training methods are being developed, and equipment is being improved and fielded at an increasing rate. Realism prevails in Soviet maneuvers. Live isotopes have been used to simulate nuclear contamination. The Soviet tank, for example, is well-equipped to operate on the nuclear battlefield. Each new tank is fitted with filtration equipment.