In arms-control negotiations between the Soviet Union and the U.S., the Soviet government has emphasized equal security in order to maintain adequate defense and offensive forces to ensure national security. Factors that the Soviets claimed favored the U.S. in terms of unequal numbers in arms control were frequently brought up in the SALT I negotiations of the 1970s and continue to be a strong point of contention in further talks.
This report examines Soviet naval strategic objectives in SALT I, SATL II, and START through analyzing Soviet arms control proposals and navel strategic force levels during each negotiation.
“West European allies, understandable, reacted strongly to signs that U.S. European-based GLCMs, as well as SLCMs deployed in theater support roles, would be subject to SALT control.” (p 65)
This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).