STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90R00961R000100090002-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 25, 2012
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: January 6, 1984
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/10/25: CIA-RDP90R00961 R000100090002-9
SYSTEM iI
91482
NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION
DIRECTIVE NUMBER 119
January 6, 1984
STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE (U)
The current strategy of nuclear deterrence based upon the threat
of retaliation has been successful to date; but it is subject to a
number of destabilizing factors in.the next generation. The U.S.
has actively sought to strengthen the-stability and credibility of
deterrence and reduce the threat of nuclear war through
modernization of its strategic foices`'and by making significant
arms . reduction proposals. The'Soviet Union's unwillingness thus
.far to consider true arms reductions, and its massive increases in
strategic offensive forces have necessitated continued U.S.
actions to preserve our deterrent-capabilities. NSDDs 12, 13, and
91 establish Administration policy on strategic forces
modernization and nuclear weapons employment. and outline our
continued adherence to the concept of nuclear deterrence as the
means for protecting the security of the United States and our
allies. (S)
However, given the uncertain long-term future of offensive-
deterrence, I believe that an effort-must also be made to=--identify='---
alternative means of deterring',nuclearwar and Protecting :.our
national security interests. In particular,?the U.S; should
investigate the feasibility of'eventually shifting-toward reliance
upon a defensive.concept.: Future deterrence shouldi'-if.possible,
be underwritten by a capability. to' defeat a -` hostile-: attack. (S)
New technologies appear to offer?the'possibility of?helping
eventually eliminate -the most '?destabilizing threat ? to' , the': S. and
its allies, ballistic missile attack. The technology and
studies undertaken in response to NSSD 6-83 have confirmed pthat ya
defense against ballistic missile attack might'eventually`:be
developed and could play a critical role in enhancing deterrence.'
The Defensive Technologies Study described a technology program of
R&D and demonstration which might eventually lead to a decikion.to'-
proceed with development of a b 11'
a
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
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(S)
istic missile defense system.:
There ' is also growing' concern over
of S
ide
i
a
o
e 1. efforts to develop a
ballistic missile defense capability makes 'it
incumbent .upon'=the:
U-S.: to do its
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SECRET .
options as one possible response to a Soviet breakout. Unilateral
Soviet acquisition of an effective defensive capability would
confront the U.S. and its allies with the real threat of nuclear
blackmail and political/military coercion. (S)
A committed technology development and demonstration effort must
be undertaken before any decision to proceed to engineering design
of a strategic defensive-system can be contemplated. I have
-decided to initiate a focused program to demonstrate the technical
feasibility of enhancing deterrence and thereby reducing the risk of
nuclear war through a greater reliance on defensive strategic
.capabilities. The following actions will be implemented
immediately: (S)
1? The U.S. will undertake a comprehensive program to develop
and demonstrate key-technologies associated with concepts for
defense against ballistic missiles.
identified by the Defensive'Technologies Studyoshouldlserve
as the general guide for:-initiating this program. (S)
2. The ballistic missile defense program must be carefully
coordinated with other strategic defense programs. The
implications of a combination of active and passive defense
concepts must also be considered.' (S)-
3. The Department of Defense shall manage the strategic defense
program. The Secretary of Defense shall be responsible for
the strategic defense program is requested to create a
specific management. structure to implement the program.- The
program manager shall report directly to the Secretary of
Defense regularly and shall be provided with authorities and
responsibilities commensurate with the high priority of this
initiative. The Secretary of Defense shall recommend the
level of funding required` each; year to meet progr
objectives and be responsible for , presenting therequtest to
Congress. The Secretary of Defense shall
progress in achieving - periodically report
g program objectives to the President. (S)
4. The strategic defense initiative will place principal.
emphasis on technologies involving nonnuclear kill concepts.
Research on new strategic defense concepts utilizing-nuclear
devices should continue as a hed
e
i
g
aga
nst a Soviet ABM
breakout. (S)
a .L.imited:'-,BMD;capability.. (non
nuclear if possible) :as 'one .possible i=nterim` response -
Soviet BMD breakout -(S)
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-??~~l ,,L,,-,agency Group-Defense Policy (SIG-DP), through
an interagency program of studies, will continue its effort
to define and evaluate the political and military
implications of strategic defense for U.S. and Allied
national security and will closely coordinate its work with
the strategic defense R&D and demonstration program. (S)
1 7. The Director of Central Intelligence shall increase the
emphasis on our efforts to assess developments in Soviet
ballistic missile defense on an annual basis and shall also
conduct a review of the adequacy of our capabilities to
t, analyz
detec e, and forecast developments in both Soviet
ballistic missile offense and defense technologies. (S)
The strategic defense initiative shall be presented in the FY85
defense budget proposal as a prudent implemeptation of the
recommendations of the Defensive'Technologies Study report.
Statements describing the strategic defense initiative should be
low key and closely coordinated to ensure that an accurate picture
of the nature and scope of this R&D effort is presented to the
public. (C)
This NSDD supplants previous guidance regarding the strategic
defense initiative. (U)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/10/25: CIA-RDP90R00961 R000100090002-9