How does Russia's Afghanistan campaign and the US Vietnam campaign compare?

Answer:

Only in that the USSR and the US fought a long war in relatively non-built up regions (deserts and jungles respectively); both highly structured nations (USSR/US) were not completely happy with their military endings.

US's Vietnam War:

1. In Vietnam: The USSR/Red China supplied MIG super-sonic jet fighters to North Vietnam; Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs). T-54/T-55 medium tanks, PT-76 light amphibious tanks, artillery, and tons of small arms (SKS, AK-47, 122mm rockets, RPG anti-tank rockets, RPD machine guns, etc.).

2. In Vietnam, the North Vietnamese AIR FORCE engaged the United States Air Force and United States Navy in aerial combat (dog-fights). USAF B-52's of the US Strategic Air Command (SAC) bombed North Vietnam in much the same manner as B-17's bombed Germany in WW2.

3. In Vietnam, Regular Army units of the North Vietnamese Army engaged allied forces with T-54/T55/PT76 tanks against allied M41 Walker Bulldog light tanks and Patton 48A3 medium tanks.

4. Vietnam was one (North) NATION fighting another (South) NATION.

USSR's Afghan War:

A. In Afghanistan: The US supplied hand held portable anti-aircraft missiles (shoulder fired) to the Afghans.

B. There were no aerial dog-fights in Afghanistan.

C. There were no strategic bombing campaigns conducted by high altitude strategic bombers.

D. There was no combat between two opposing armies (A nation's Army) .

E. There was no war against a foreign nation.

F. The USSR was fighting insurgents within the nation of Afghanistan. The USSR was NOT at war the country of Afghanistan.

First answer by ID1282543552. Last edit by ID1282543552. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].