‘Soviets deploy SS2O’

Press, 28 December 1977, Page 6

‘Soviets deploy SS2O’

NZPA-Reuter Washington After months of uncertainty, United States officials now believe that Russia has begun to deploy a new mobile land-based missile with potential to hit the United States. In its present form, the Soviet SS2O missile’s estimated 4800 km range limits it to targets in Western Europe, China and the Middle East. B ti t United States specialists say its range can be easily to 9600 km by adding a third rocket stage to the present two stages. That would make it similar to the SSI6 intercontinental ballistic missile and put the United States within its range. Pentagon officials earlier issued warnings about the potential for conversion of the SS2O, but noted then that the missile had not been deployed.

The months of uncertainty and conflicting reports on deployment apparently stemmed from difficulty in locating and identifying the SS2o’s movable launch equipment at combat-ready positions inside the Soviet Union.

However, United States military intelligence analysts now say the SS2O is deployed in eastern Russia.

That suggests the first combat-ready SS2O, which can carry three nuclear warheads each, are aimed at targets in China, with which Russia has been feuding for years., Intelligence analysts also believe that preparations are under, way to deploy mobile missiles in western and central Russia. From western Russia, SS2O could blanket Western Europe. From central Russia, the missiles could strike targets in the Middle East.

With their 4800 km range, the SS2O are qnlikely to be subject to limitations on strategic nuclear weapons now being negotiated bySoviet and United States diplomats.