CIA ANALYSIS SHOWS SOVIET DEFENSE SPENDING EXCEEDS THAT OF U.S.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00527R000100110003-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 23, 2009
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: February 22, 1985
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/11/23: CIA-RDP88B00527R000100110003-6
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 February 1985
CIA ANALYSIS SHOWS SOVIET DEFENSE SPENDING EXCEEDS THAT OF U.S.
The Joint Economic Committee on 21 February released CIA testimony of
last November on the Soviet economy. The testimony was not on Soviet military
capabilities. Because the information released by the Committee presents a
narrow view of Soviet military growth, the Central Intelligence Agency wishes
to emphasize the broader context of its testimony and to convey a more
balanced--though still partial--picture of the Soviet military buildup.
As CIA noted publicly in November 1983, the cost of defense activities
has exceeded that of the United States by a large margin, despite a decline in
the rate of growth. The dollar cost of Soviet defense activities in 1981--in
the middle of this period of decline--was some 45 percent greater than for the
U.S.; procurement costs alone. were some 45 percent larger. While this margin
has narrowed with the growth in U.S. defense spending, the Soviets still
outspend the U.S. overall and in important specific categories by substantial-
margins. CIA also stressed in last November's testimony evidence of an upturn
in Soviet defense spending in 1983.
CIA has repeatedly emphasized that trends in Soviet military spending are
not a sufficient basis upon which to form judgments about Soviet
capabilities. The rate of increase in spending estimates does not give an
appreciation of the large stocks of strategic and conventional weapon systems
deployed by the Soviets during the past decade.
As the testimony states, current Soviet levels of spending are so high
that despite the procurement plateau, Soviet forces received in the years 1977
through 1983 a total of 1,100 ICBMs, more than 700 SLBMs, 300 bombers, 5,000
fighters, some 15,000 new tanks, and substantial numbers of new additional
major surface combatants, nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines, and
attack submarines. During the same period, the U.S. added.to its inventory
135 ICBMs, 390 SLBMs, no bombers, 3,000 fighters, 5,000 tanks, and 106-major
warships. The attached charts illustrate the extent to which Soviet military
costs, equipment deliveries and military.manpower exceed those of the U.S.
Soviet efforts to develop advanced weapon systems continue in the 1980s
at least at the rapid pace of the previous two decades. Among these weapons
are fighter and airborne control aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles,
space systems and submarines. The new systems cover the full range of
technologically advanced weaponry the Soviets will need to modernize all their
forces.
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PIGURh 1
UM STA/QEGIC EQUIMNr DELIVERIES AS A PEACENT' CF W 0(1.1VMIES 21 FED mm
1974-1983
ICBMs
BALLISTIC
MISSILE
SUBMARINES
SLIIMs
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FIGURE 2
l~SSR GUM & PJ7 CM E AJIMUff t JVERIES `AS A PQ JT CF LS CEIJVE7IIES 21 ru =
1974-1983
TANKS OTHER. TACTICAL MAJOR ATTACK
-COMBAT ~#COMBAT SURFACE SUBMARINES
VEHICLES AIRCRAFT SHIPS
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FIGURE 3
C OWAAI SON CF lJS AM ? SOVIET MIU TAR' MW MUM, i74 Aw VW 21 PW Rn
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vICUnh 4
USSR
? US
US
USSR.
U SAM SW. r . MI.uVRY.cosTs DIEU" CF V.63 MI . 21 rm Vw
1GOSUillion Dollars
IZ174JJII1IQn Dollars
Cumulative Costs .?
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I ICUnt .5
L AM SW ET M IU-PRY COSTS O I W cT S cF 19?3 MIAPS 21 rr un
USSR
US
US 3339 Billion Dollars
ussn
i3647 11;l lnn nnl1nre
Cumulative Cots
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