Tu-16 Bombers Instead of a Soviet Fleet

A direct naval challenge was implausible because the Soviet surface fleet and submarine arm had not yet reached their later Cold War strength. The Tu-16 Badger was the principal striking instrument available against ships, ports, airfields, and bases. Conventional attacks would be difficult at long range, but they could inflict losses without immediately surrendering the political advantage Moscow hoped to gain by supporting Egypt. Nuclear use would destroy that advantage and invite nuclear retaliation, making punitive conventional bombing the more plausible opening move.