Quote:
Originally Posted by zovs66
I honestly think that the Soviet and WP equipment is overrated compared to Western equipment.
|
I recall once being told "The Soviets can make one highly capable thing, but can't mass produce anything". I've long agreed with this.
Soviet equipment is generally "adequate" but very rarely "good". And given Soviet doctrine this makes sense. Waves of units to overwhelm their opposition. You don't need "the best" merely "good enough" because there's so much of it the opponent can't destroy enough of it fast enough to win.
This is NOT to imply the stereotypical "human wave" approach, of uncaring use of poorly equipped (trained?) units thrown into the meat-grinder. Again, their equipment was "adequate".
It was never on par with that of the "West". In spite of claims/delusions to the contrary.
Are there exceptions? Certainly. Was Soviet equipment occasionally "ground-breaking"? Definitely! (Mass use of the AK47 before the West started using "assault rifles" comes to mind.)