3. Nuclear weapons - NRDC Document Bank - Natural Resources ...

Bombers
Bison
18-33
Bear A/B/CIG 90
Bear H 40
Total 138-163
Refuelling aircraft
125-140
ABMs
Galosh 32
SH-08 (68)
Total 100
1956
1956
1984
1964
1985
8000
8300
8300
2 x bombs
2-4 x bombs/ ASMs
4 x ALCMs
1 x 3-5 Mt
1 x ..
36- 130
240- 480
160- 320
440- 930
32- 64
68- 140
106- 200
a Figures for numbers of warheads are low and high estimates of possible force loadings (including reloads). Reloads for ICBMs are 5 per cent and 100
per cent, and for SLBMs 5 per cent and 20 per cent extra missiles and associated warheads. Half the SS-N-6s are assumed to be Mod 3s, and SS-N-18 warheads
are assumed to be 3 or 7 warheads. Bomber warheads are force loadings and force loadings plus 100 per cent reloads. It is assumed that 30 Bear Gs are
now deployed (4 warheads each). All warhead total estimates have been rounded to two significant digits. Warhead estimates do not include down-loading
for single-warhead SS-17 Mod 2, SS-19 Mod 2 or SS-18 Mod 1/3 missiles, which could be deployed, nor lower estimates for the SS-18 force, which includes
some Mod 2 missiles with 8 or 10 warheads.
b Includes SLBMs potentially carried on 1 Typhoon Class and 2 Delta IV Class submarines on sea trials.
c Includes Badger and Bison A bombers converted for aerial refuelling, with 15 possible new Bison conversions claimed by the USSR.
Sources: Authors' estimates derived from: Arkin, W. M. and Sands, J. I., 'The Soviet nuclear stockpile', Arms Control Today, June 1984, pp. 1-7;
Department of Defense, Soviet Military Power, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th editions; NATO, NATO-Warsaw Pact Force Comparisons, 1st, 2nd editions; Berman,
R. P. and Baker, J. C., Soviet Strategic Forces: Requirements and Responses (Brookings Institution: Washington, DC, 1982); Defense Intelligence Agency,
Unclassified Communist Naval Orders of Battle, DDB-12oo-124-84, May 1984; Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Military Posture for FY 1987; Gordon,
M. R., 'U.S. says Soviet complies on some arms issues', New York Times, 24 Nov. 1985, p. 18; Senate Armed Services Committee/Senate Appropriations
Committee, Soviet Strategic Force Developments, S. Hrg. 99-335, June 1985; background briefing by senior US Administration official, 8 Oct. 1985;
Hutchinson, R., 'USSR now has 100 ABM launchers', Jane's Defence Weekly, 2 Nov. 1985, p. 959; Polmar, N., 'The submarine enigmas', US Naval
Institute Proceedings, Jan. 1986, p. 129; interviews with US DoD officials, Apr. and Nov. 1985; Sands, J. 1., 'A review of Soviet Military Power 1985',
Nuclear Weapons Databook Working Paper no. 85-2, July 1985. .