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 ..-Chapter VIII..
                                                                 The
                                                             US Response
           To meet the threat posed by the continuing
      power, the US, in
      buildup of Soviet military
 coordination with allies and friends who share
 common securitv interests, is following a dual
 approach. The US has established strategies,
 policies, ind programs to improve our forces
 and those. of our allies and friends to deter
 Soviet aggression in all its forms. At the same
 time, we seek to secure a more stable militar,,
 balance through the negotiation of significant,
 verifiable force reductions.
      This chapter provides a brief overview of US
 defense policy and strategy designed to deter
 the threat of Soviet military power, as well
 as the aggressive designs of other states and
 groups hostile to our interests. There is also
 discussion of the forces and programs we have
 deployed or initiated to enable us to meet our
 defense strategy.
      US defense policy is guided by the necessity
 to maintain nuclear deterrence while pursu-
 ing research into strategic defenses. 1t seeks
 to maintain deterrence against conven-
 tional attacks while combating the more am-
 biguous forms of aggression characteristic of
 low-intensity conflict. The US is enhancing
 military stability, where possible, through ne-
 gotiated arms reductions and by utilizing en-
 during US strengths to exploit long-term Soviet
 weaknesses through competitive strategies.
           Nlore detailed accounts of these programs
      can be found in the Fiscal Year 1988 Annual
      R rt to the Congress by the Secretary of
      epo
 Defense and the United States Military Posture
 FY 1988 prepared by the Joint Staff.
 The new HOKUM attack helicopter, now
 in flight-testing, will give the Soviets a
 significant rotary-wing, air-to-air combat
 capability for which no Western counterpart
 exists. Deployment of the HOKUM and

 
 HAVOC (1,-.,wer right) attack helicopters will
 further underscore the capabilities and the
 challenge of Soviet military power.
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 Chapter Vill The US Respun,,