LETTER TO MELVIN PRICE FROM JOHN N. MCMAHON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00757R000100150021-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 11, 2008
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: March 21, 1983
• Content Type: LETTER

\1 Approved For Release 2008/01/11: CIA-RDP85T00757R000100150021-2
The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D. C.20505
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Representative Melvin Price
Chairman, House Committee on Armed Services
Room 2110, Rayburn House Office Building
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Price:
During the Director's Worldwide Briefing before your committee on
February 16, 1983, the National Intelligence Officer for General Purpose
Forces, General Atkeson, outlined certain characteristics and capabilities
of the new Soviet T-80 tank about which we now have some doubts. He
ascribed to the tank a missile-firing capability for greater accuracy
at extended ranges. While we still believe this to be true, it should be
noted that technical questions have recently come to light about this,
and there is not unanimity of view on the point within the Intelligence
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It should be noted that our information on the T-80 is incomplete
and that our assessments remain tentative for the time being. The Director
has asked for a comprehensive review of the entire Soviet armor/anti-armor
problem by the Intelligence Community this spring.
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Sincerely,
John N. McMahon
Acting Director
Approved For Release 2008/01/11 : CIA-RDP85T00757R000100150021-2