According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, during the late 1970’s the Soviet Union devoted between 11 and 14 percent of its gross national product to military spending, compared with 5 percent in the United States.

Whereas it has been estimated that the Soviet Union is currently spending $165 billion a year on its armed forces, the United States plans to boost its military budget to $157.9 billion this year, with regular annual increases until it reaches $250 billion in 1984.