What kind of weapons technology do other countries have compared to the U.S.?

Question

How advanced are some other countries in thier weapons technology. Countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and some others, any others, maybe England?

Answer 1

The US is the current world leader in almost every form of weapons technology out there - although the Russians MIGHT edge us in particle beam technology.

The Europeans are close behind with 5th-Generation fighter technology (The Eurofighter Typhoon is supposed to be about .75 equivelant to the F-22 Raptor). No one tops our Armor (The M1A1 is by far the best MBT on the planet - The German Leopard II is a close second, but tankers who've driven both favor the Abrams). We're the world leaders in directed energy weapons, ABMs, SAM, C4I technology, RADAR, and systems integration. No one holds a candle to the United States in Naval technology, especially submarines (though the Brits have a better torpedo with their Spearfish and the Trafalgar class SSNs are supposed to be close to the Los Angelese class SSNs and the Russian Alfa dives deeper and faster - but much noisier, which is death in combat)

You may find better infantry weapons out there than our M16/A4 system though - That's a frequent debate, believe me.

The Russians probably have the edge with Anti-Ship missiles, come to think of it. Their newer Sunburn and Shipwreck missiles are horrors, but untested in combat, unlike the highily reliable Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles the US uses.

China lags well behind the US, Russia, and Europe in technology, utilzing a lot of old Russian technology.

Iran is decades behind the US and Europe in any field.

Russia is probably second only to the US in military technology with excellent aircraft (MIG-29, and the newer Sukhoi's), RADAR, SAM, Naval, and especially ASM technology.

England isn't a stand-alone nation in military means. They usually work as part of a Pan-European Consortium (see the Panavia Tornado fighter-bomber and the Eurofighter Typhoon).

France would like to think they're a player, but the reality is their Armor (the LeClerc) and Navy are um...Not quite up to snuff. See the problems with the Charles DeGaulle Aircraft Carrier. Though they ARE doing very well with their Stealth Frigates - Those are impressive. They also have a respectable nuclear submarine program.

Hope this helps!

Orion

EDIT: Rapier track Stealth? I suppose so - it's optically tracked, so that means you shoot at what you can see. ANY optically tracked SAM would count - including guns. AH! You're referring to the Farnborough incident (Link below) - IR tracking on a slow fly-by. You'll note Rapier has a VERY poor performance record in combat. Not a big threat.

Edit2: Andy - Raptor is already in squadron service in the USAF. Typhoon isn't yet on the lines. Challneger and Leopard have scored lower than the Abrams in all the tests I've read about and Challengers didn't do as well as the Abrams in real combat in Iraq. Leopard hasn' t had that level of real-world test yet, but the tankers I've read who've driven both give the nod to the Abrams.

I've added a link to an excellent discussion on the Leopard vs Challenger vs Abrams discussion - Comes down to three very, very fine tanks. Glad we're allies. Victory? Depends on the circumstances and the crews. They're that close.

Rbenne - The Merkava scored well for crew protection up until this latest Lebanon conflict where Hezbollah was destroying them and killing their crews with annoying regularity. I've not seen it rated in the top tier for many years.

Answer 2

Which country did make the first nuclear weapon?America Which country has used nuclear weapons?America Which countries do have most dangerous nuclear weapons?America,Israel,Russia How many evidences are there that shows Iran has made or wants to make nuclear weapons?there is no evidence! How many wars has Iran begun in last 100 years?No war How many wars has America begun in last 100 years?You yourself answer this question! so how come you consider Iran as a threat to US & the world? You'd better to write an essay on "problems with nuclear weapons & USA" or "why is US such a threat to Iran & the world?"

Answer 3

the countries you mentioned might be considered behind us, but only slightly, if at all.

An interesting point I wanted to bring up is that on the battlefield, the weapon that matters most is ingenuity. History has proven time and time again that you need not be the biggest, strongest, and best-armed military, since all it takes is some quick thinking to adapt & overcome. In that respect, the playing field is pretty even with us and other countries.

Answer 4

Quite some time ago Russia came up with a portable cheap device that jams ALL Electrical powered technologies of any type (computers,missiles,jets,telephones,radar and etc) within a great distance..What it does is creates a magnetic zone that pretty much turns everything off..On American armed forces it could pretty much be fatal, but vs Iraq almost useless..

Answer 5

Israel is the only country which has our technology. Israel is the only country which can obliverate us. Do not believe me pick up the September 10, 2001 School of Advanced Military Studies report located in Ft. Levanworth. Mossad ruthless and cunning and has ability to attack US Forces. Be afraid of Israel be very afraid since they did not sign NPT.

Answer 6

Eurofighter is the world's number one aircraft until the arrival of the US Raptor which is a while away yet. The German Leopard and UK Challenger 2 are superior to American MBTs.

Answer 7

Really we can't say because for all we know there could be high power lasers nuclear tanks or something like that, that the goverment is not telling people in their own countrys about.

Answer 8

I agree with Orian with one exception. RE: Armor he forget the Mirkava Mk4, possibly the best MBT in the world

Answer 9

Us Brits have better UAV's (Unmanned Ariel Vehicles), but America wanted the technology.... the cheek

Answer 10

The UK has rapier air defence which is the only surface to air that can track stealth.
good job there allies