ABSTRACT
Comparing the entire North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Pact undifferentiated tactical air forces without regard to their various missions would throw little light on their potential contributions to either side's victory. A tactical air force may seek general theater-wide air supremacy through attrition in aerial combat or by interdicting the enemy's air and logistical installations. The significance of the numerical balance, including sub-balances of ground attack and air supremacy fighters, varies with needs. The US operational concept, airland battle, is aptly named because it tries to ensure that tactical air power would have a major impact on the ground battle. To sum up, NATO air superiority in its own rear areas would be vital because of the growing Pact interdiction capability and inadequate western ground-based defenses. Despite Pact numerical superiority and stronger air defenses, NATO should be able to deliver at least as great weight of munitions against enemy forces as the Pact.
