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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Soviet leadership on nuclear war. Professional paper

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6363975

Throughout the last decade, the Soviet politico-military leadership has provided startling evidence of a new Soviet doctrine on nuclear war. Leading Soviet military thinkers have themselves traced the origin of this phenomenon to evolving technological developments in both nuclear and conventional arms. In his 1982 book--Always in Readiness to Defend the Fatherland, Ogarkov used provocative language to describe recent developments in military affairs: A profound and revolutionary in the full sense of the word, perevorot (revolution, turnabout, upheaval) in military affairs is occurring in our time.... He connected this revolution with rapid quantitative developments in nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles, and with the significantly qualitative upgrading of conventional means of destruction. In his 1985 post-transfer book--History Teaches Vigilance, hereafter cited as History--he stressed that his profound and revolutionary, in the full sense of the word, perevorot is continuing in our time.... This document presents opinions on Soviet leadership in nuclear war.

Research Organization:
Center for Naval Analyses, Alexandria, VA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6363975
Report Number(s):
AD-A-180337/8/XAB; CNA-PP-451
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English