http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/500166744

Salt II and the costs of modernizing U.S. strategic forces

How SALT II will affect U.S. defense costs is a matter of great concern. One particular question is how rejection of the treaty might increase U.S. spending for strategic forces. That question cannot be answered with any single cost figure, for several reasons. U.S. choices in a "no-SALT" world would depend on the nature of Soviet decisions. These are unknown, and probably unknowable. Also, for any set of Soviet choices, the United States could choose from a number of alternative responses. This study does, however, reach conclusions about several issues closely related to SALT II's effect on U.S. defense costs: Even if SALT II is ratified, the United States plans to increase substantially its expenditures for strategic force modernization over the next several years. If SALT II is not ratified, the Soviet Union could, by continuing current building rates, exceed some SALT II limits before the planned expiration of the treaty at the end of 1985. A Soviet buildup that exceeds the SALT II limits would adversely affect the survivability of the planned MX missile system; it could also affect the ability of U.S. bomber forces to escape safely from their bases in the event of an attack. Maintaining the survivability of these systems in the face of such a buildup could require additional expenditures.

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