Shanghai industrial complex wrote:Vivolkha wrote:Do we need to?
In fact, the EU can.Europe has more air and armored forces than Russia.And the presence of France guarantees nuclear strike power.MEGA!
On paper kind of has more, although Europe has a severe shortage of strategic aircraft and much of its tanks are non operational from lack of parts and maintenance.
But sure the EU can in theory field a much larger and better military than Russia, havinv a much larger population, economy and superior technology but it takes more than that.
Loss of strength gradient is key here. The further the advance from your supply bases, the weaker your ground forces especially get (although tactical aircraft have a limited range as well, it applies to ships and aircraft but to a lesser degree).
France also only has 200 nukes compared to nearly 7,000 for Russia (admittedly many of those might be non functional but still).
The EU absolutely can in theory (but not in practice as it lacks the will) build a force such it needs not fear a RussIan attack, but defending against an attack and trying to occupy a space as large and inhospitable as Russia, against staunch opposition and overwhelming nuclear superiority on behalf of the Russians.
Building up a defense/containment force which the EU should do, is very different than trying an all out invasion of Russia which the EU should not do. And will not do.