REPORT ON ANTIBALLISTIC MISSILE CAPABILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE SOVIET UNION

SEC. 907. REPORT ON ANTIBALLISTIC MISSILE CAPABILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE SOVIET UNION (a) Study.—The President shall conduct a study regarding the antiballistic missile capability and activities of the Soviet Union. In conducting the study, the President shall assess each of the following: (1) The military capabilities and significance of the extensive network of large-phased array radars of the Soviet Union. (2) Whether the Soviet Union is developing or producing mobile or transportable engagement radars in violation of the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty. (3) The ability of the Soviet Union to develop an effective exoatmospheric antiballistic missile defense without using widespread deployments of traditional engagement radars. (4) The ability of air defense interceptor missiles of the Soviet Union, now and in the future, to destroy warheads of ballistic missiles in flight. (5) Whether silos or other hardened facilities of the Soviet Union located outside of the existing antiballistic missile site permitted near Moscow under the terms of the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty are or could be associated with antiballistic missile defenses not permitted under that Treaty. (6) Whether the Soviet Union is developing terminal antiballistic missile defenses. (7) Whether the existing antiballistic missile site near Moscow that is permitted under the terms of that Treaty conceals or could conceal development, testing, or deployment by the Soviet Union of a widespread antiballistic missile system. (8) Activities of the Soviet Union regarding boost-phase intercepts of ballistic missiles. (9) The status of laser programs, particle-beam programs, and other advanced technology programs of the Soviet Union comparable to programs conducted by the United States under the Strategic Defense Initiative. (10) The consequences for the United States of a successful effort by the Soviet Union to deploy an effective nationwide or limited antiballistic missile system. (b) Assessment of Ability of United States To Counter A Soviet ABM System.—In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the President shall also assess the ability of the United States to counter effectively an effective antiballistic missile system 102 STAT. 2035deployed by the Soviet Union. Such assessment shall consider both the deployment by the Soviet Union of a nationwide, and of a limited, antiballistic missile system. In assessing the ability of the United States to counter effectively such a system, the President— (1) shall consider the ability of the United States to modify (A) existing strategic offensive forces (including modifications involving the development of additional penetration aids), and (B) current strategic doctrine and tactics; and (2) shall consider whether the actions of the United States described in paragraph (1) could be accomplished over the same period of time that the Soviet Union would require to deploy such an antiballistic missile system. (c) Report.—Not later than January 1, 1989, the President shall submit to Congress a report, in both a classified and an unclassified version, specifying the results of the study conducted pursuant to this section. The report shall include such recommendations as the President considers appropriate, including recommendations with regard to maintaining the deterrent value of the strategic forces of the United States in Tight of the antiballistic missile capability and activities of the Soviet Union described in the report.