The CFE Treaty sets equal ceilings for each bloc (NATO and the Warsaw Treaty), from the Atlantic to the Urals, on key armaments essential for conducting surprise attacks and initiating large-scale offensive operations. Collectively, the treaty participants have agreed that neither side may have more than
20,000 tanks;
20,000 artillery pieces;
30,000 armoured combat vehicles (ACVs);
6,800 combat aircraft; and
2,000 attack helicopters.
To further limit the readiness of armed forces, the treaty sets equal ceilings on equipment that may be with active units. Other ground equipment must be in designated permanent storage sites. The limits for equipment each side may have in active units are
16,500 tanks;
17,000 artillery pieces; and
27,300 armoured combat vehicles (ACVs);
The treaty further limits the proportion of armaments that can be held by any one country in Europe to about one-third of the total for all countries in Europe - the "sufficiency" rule. These limits are
13,300 tanks;
13,700 artillery pieces;
20,000 armoured combat vehicles (ACVs);
5,150 combat aircraft; and
1,500 attack helicopters.
All sea-based Naval forces are excluded from CFE Treaty accountability.