CIA REPORT SAYS SOVIET ANTI-MISSILE SHIELD POSSIBLE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000302330071-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 8, 2012
• Sequence Number: 71
• Publication Date: June 26, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/08 :CIA-RDP9O-009658000302330071-6
WAS'riINGTON TI'iES
26 June 1985
CIA report says Soviet anti
-missile shield possible
~~~~.
The Soviet Union's potential to
rapidly deploy a nationwide missile
defense, if carried out, could dwarf
arty Soviet arms control violations to
date, according to an administration
analyst.
'T'tte warnin of the emer m
Saviet cane t ttv to t row up a s to d
against offensive nuclear missiles
was tssu mare re re
two o tct s or a the t
be ore a iomt conaresstona pane .
"We are particularly concerned
that the Soviets' continuing develop-
ment efforts give them the potential
for widespread ABM deployment,"
the report warns. "The Soviets have
the major components for an ABM
system that could be used for wide-
spread ABM deployments well in
excess of ABM treaty limits," it
adds.
Scheduled to testify today were
CIA Deputy Director for Intelli-
gence Robert M. Gates and CIA
Nationa Intelligence Officer for
Strategic Programs Lawrence K.
Gershwin.
A copy of their remarks was
obtained by The Washington Times
from administration sources.
The 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile
treaty permits the United Siates and
Soviet Union to deploy one ABM sys-
tem in an interior location. By leav-
ing the remainder of each country
vulnerable to attack, the treaty
seeks to reduce the risk that a
nuclear exchange will occur.
Supporters of the ABM treaty are
concerned about its future in light of
U.S. and Soviet efforts to develop
defenses in space against incoming
ballistic missiles.
The Soviets set up the only exist-
ing ABM system in the late 1960s
with the "Galosh" system around
Moscow The United States never
deployed its one permitted system.
But the United States has-
launched aresearch program to
determine whether a defense
against nuclear missile attack is pos-
sible. Such research is allowed
under the ABM treaty.
The research program, called the
Strategic Defense Initiative and
popularly dubbed "star wars;' has
drawn fire from critics on grounds
that, if the research proves strategic
defense feasible, the defense would
be employed in violation of the ABM
treaty. The program involves a sys-
tem of weapons capable of knocking
out ballistic missiles in outer space.
The two CIA officials, in what is
ex ected to be rare ublic testimon
conten tat v t e 1990s t o vtet
Union will be able to enhance its
existin? ABM system around Mos-
cow to shield key targets in the West-
ern U.S.S.R. In addition, the CIA
proiects that Soviet ABM a ed ~ uses
will be capable of exten to tt e
reach of its ballistic missile defense
to cover "ke tar ets" east of the
iTra ountains w ere a m r-
tion o vtet strategic weapons
bases are located.
The Soviets are modernizing the
Moscow ABM system, ABM-1, with
a program designated ABM-3. The
system includes a mobile radar des-
ignated "flat twin," a stationary
radar known as "pawn shop," and
two fixed-based missile interceptors
designated SH-04 and SH-OS for
high- and low-altitude defensive
attacks.
U.S. intelligence expects the Sovi-
ets to de to u to 3000 mobile ABM
interceptors v 1987, according to
the administration analyst.
The report prepared for delivery
to the Senate Armed Services Com-
mittee and Defense A ro riations
u commtttee is entitled. "Soviet
Strategic Force Developments:' It is
based on the latest national intelli-
gence estimate of Soviet power.
Mr. Gates and Mr. Gershwin are
expecte to testt v a out Soviet
advances in the use of laser weapons
against incoming missiles.
"We are concerned about a large
Soviet program to develop ground-
based laser weapons for terminal
defense against re-entry vehicles;'
the testimony states. Re-entry vehi-
cles are separate nuclear warheads
dispersed from ICBMs.
The CIA expects the Soviets to
test t-TieTaser weapon "during the
1980s" but the a enc does not
expect ep oyment until a ter the
year '
The CIA foresees rowth of
between ercent an ~t
each year or t e next the years in
Soviet spending on offensive and
e enstve wee ns.~ Tf the soviets
proceed ~ wit widespread ABM
deployments, weapons spending is
expected to increase 7 percent to 10
percent for the same period, the
report states.
Besides ABM components, the
Soviets have made "major strides"
in deploying mobile intercontinental
ballistic missiles. An additional 700
mobile SS-24 and SS-25 ICBMs are
expected to be activated by the end
of the decade, an administration
source said.
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/08 :CIA-RDP9O-009658000302330071-6