William Perry, a Pentagon official (and later Secretary of Defense in the 1990s), estimates that the Soviets, to counter American guided missiles (for example, the Cruise missiles that would be deployed in Western Europe in the following years), would need at least 5-10 years of research and development and no less than $30-50 billion, and even then they would not be able to shoot down more than 50%. The Carter administration’s strategy is now clear. It will also be followed and implemented by the following Reagan administration.
