ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the military and political roles of Soviet nuclear weapons in Europe. The deployment of new-generation Soviet nuclear weapons strengthens the ability of the Soviets to conduct conventional military operations in Europe. Politically, the superiority of Soviet theater nuclear systems has been useful in increasing political tensions in the Western Alliance. The basis for the exercise of political influence by the Soviet Union in Western Europe has been its military power. Soviet medium-range theater nuclear systems consist of tactical aircraft that can carry conventional or nuclear armament and medium-range missile systems, the Scud B and the SS-12 Scaleboard. The Soviets have steadily improved their capabilities to deliver nuclear strikes with their medium-range forces. The opposition of the Soviet Union to the Western Alliance's Eurostrategic modernization is rooted in the negative effects of that modernization on the military and political roles of Soviet Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force systems.
