ABSTRACT
The Warsaw Pact’s tactical air forces are a second essential component of their combined arms concept, providing the principal means to attack critical facilities and forces and to degrade North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) air power, ground forces and theater nuclear forces. An improved capability to halt the initial Warsaw Pact ground force offensive against NATO must be the centerpiece of a more effective conventional defense. Improving NATO’s surveillance and target acquisition capabilities must have the highest priority. The Warsaw Pact’s tactical air forces are a second essential component of their combined arms concept, providing the principal means to attack critical facilities and forces and to degrade NATO’s air power, ground forces and theater nuclear forces. Disrupting Warsaw Pact command, control and communications - the critical “eyes and brain” of their forces - is essential to undermine the coordination needed for a combined arms offensive to succeed.
